Oladimeji Ramon, Alexander Okere and John Charles
There is tension in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as the two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners slain by suspected herdsmen are scheduled for burial today (Tuesday).
Already, Governor Samuel Ortom has declared Tuesday a work-free day to honour the departed.
This was just as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria had directed all Catholic faithful across the country to embark on a peaceful and prayerful protest, tagged, ‘March for Life,’ on Tuesday.
Catholic Church members were directed to be dressed in “all Catholic society groups, apostolate, Bishop’s installation or parish uniforms.”
Those who do not have any of those were advised to be dressed in a white top while “priests and religious shall be in cassock and habits.”
“We should all come with our rosaries and a candlestick each,” the directive by the CBCN added.
Suspected armed herdsmen had invaded Mbalon community and attacked St. Ignatius Catholic Church at Ayar Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State about a month ago and killed two priests – Rev Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha — and other 17 worshipers during early morning mass.
Comments