The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has said that received disturbing reports of “delayed or withheld security responses” on attacks in several predominantly Christian communities in the country.
This was as the bishops emphasised that the near-total destruction and occupation of some communities, and the continued attacks on displaced persons even in camps, have deepened the people’s sense of abandonment and despair.
The bishops noted that such prolonged unbearable conditions have given credence to allegations of ‘genocide’ in some quarters.
While condemning in very strong terms, the security situation in the country, the bishops called for urgent need to critically address the allegations of the term “Christian genocide”, a label, they noted the federal government has repeatedly rejected.
However, the Catholic Bishops said the ‘genocide’ label stemmed from a prolonged attack on members of the Christian faith.
The bishops in a statement noted that it is a matter of grave concern that several predominantly Christian communities, particularly in the Northern and Middle Belt regions of the country, have come under repeated and brutal attacks, resulting in heavy casualties and the tragic loss of many Christian lives.
According to the bishops; “In some instances, there have been disturbing reports of delayed or withheld security responses, giving the impression of possible collusion or a lack of will to act.
“Yet, mindful of the sacred dignity and inestimable worth of every human life, we are equally deeply concerned that Muslims and many other innocent citizens of diverse ethnic backgrounds have also been victims of this same cruelty that continues to desecrate our common humanity,” the bishops said
The bishops therefore tasked the government to investigate the reports of delayed or withheld security responses in the affected communities to rebuild public trust.
They also asked the federal government to bring the perpetrators of the recent kidnaps across Kebbi, Kwara, Borno, and Niger to justice.
