This was the submission in various interactions with newsmen, following the protest held by the Catholic faithful during the past week.
Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Reverend Felix Femi Ajakaye, charged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the country, despite the loss of confidence in the prospects of the country.
Leading the Catholic faithful in Ekiti Diocese, in a protest against killings in the country, Ajakaye, who marched alongside the clergy and congregation, despite a heavy downpour, which took off after a procession after Mass at St. Mary’s, Irona, lamented that there was trepidation in the country.
He said: “More than ever before, in Nigeria today, we now experience fear and trepidation. Wanton killings, abductions and other evil acts are glaring. Human lives are terminated almost daily in Nigeria by fellow human beings indiscriminately. Unfortunately, the government and the security agencies are always assuring the people that they are ‘on top of the situation’. Enough of the rhetoric.
“However, we are to remain optimistic and keep our hope alive. All and sundry are to uphold the sanctity of human life and be true witnesses and promoters of human life.”
He said the federal and state governments as well as the security agencies “must wake up from their slumber and be practical in their approach to the situation.”
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In Benin City, Edo State, Catholic Archbishop, Most Rev. Fr. Augustine Akubeze, represented by Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ehigie, Vicar-General, Archdiocese of Benin, who lamented that forests and farms in the state had allegedly been compromised by armed men, stated that “This march must yield some results. We have not come with the weapon of physical warfare, but we have our weapon which is our spiritual ammunition that will not return empty.
We have with us the rosary being our weapon. Almighty God who sees all that is done in secret, will surely reward them in open. Our faith shall not fail us, our faith must surely prevail.”
Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Reverend John Afareha, who led more than 2,000 worshippers from the Cathedral in Okere, Warri/Sapele road, through Ajamimogha to Government House Annexe along NPA express road, urged the government to rise up to its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and properties.
He noted that this was necessary because Christians, as it were, could only arm themselves with prayers and not physical weapons of warfare.
“The Catholic Diocese of Warri, together with the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, stands with the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi to mourn and pray for the souls of Gor, Tyolaha and 17 other victims of herdsmen’s attack.
“Peace is in the heart of Christians and we have gathered here for peace and unity to end the senseless killings in all parts of the country. We cannot take up arms to defend ourselves, but we can arm ourselves with prayers and voice out our displeasure to the government. All life is sacred, irrespective of tribe or political affiliations, so we must be cherished and protected by all.
“The government should deploy its machinery without complicity to stop the bloodletting in our land and bring to justice the enemies of peace,” he stated, just as he pledged the church’s continued support for the government in prayers to enthrone peace in the country.
Catholic Bishop of Ilorin, Most Reverend Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, in his address, when he led a peaceful protest in Ilorin on Tuesday, condemned the killings of church members as well as other innocent citizens in parts of the country, saying that government should rise up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property and bring killers of innocent people to justice.
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