The Catholic Church in Nigeria on Monday alleged that it was presently facing great persecution in the three North-East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, which have been under emergency rule since December, 2013, with 154 of its churches in the state deserted.
The church, in a statement titled, ‘While Our People Perish’ signed by the Director of Social Communication, Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, Rev. Fr. Gideon Obasogie, said, “As a church, we are really going through a severe moment of persecution. The ecclesial circumscription is facing sharp disintegration. In the last few weeks our churches, numbering 154, have been deserted” as the insurgents hold sway.
It added, ” While our people perish in action or rather slow action is what we get. Political activities in neighbouring communities were ongoing as though nothing were at stake. The seemingly not so much talked about syndicate would someday be a yoke on all.
“Lately, three local government areas of Bama, in Borno State and Madagali/Michika in Adamawa State and their local government chairmen were all sacked. The Shehus and Emirs (un-throned)- or overturned, this amounts to what I would rather refer to as (cultural coup), since unknown figures have been placed in such capacities. Thousands displaced, many killed and others forcibly conscripted. These are pointers that Boko Haram terrorism is not just a northern problem, but a Nigerian problem and in fact a global issue.
“Nigerians, who were supposed to celebrate their independence as a free Nation, were rather counting their losses and regrets as they have been reduced to the status of Internally Displaced Persons.
“Where is the freedom? Life is really terribly difficult. We are waiting eagerly to go back home, even as it is obvious that we are going to reconstruct our looted and burnt houses and ecclesial structures. We have been sacked for months, sleeping in uncompleted buildings, camps and school premises. We have been absorbed into houses of relations and friends in sixties and seventies.”
Source: Punch
