Catholic bishops in Nigeria are calling for an end to the mass killings and abductions

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a strong statement condemning the recent wave of violence that has swept the country. Church leaders are calling on the government to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of citizens, who currently do not feel secure either in places of worship or in their own homes. This was reported by Vatican News.

Archbishop Ndagos’ statement was prompted by coordinated attacks by armed gangs that took place in August in Niger and Benue states. Specifically, on August 21, in the Borgu area, militants attacked mosques during Friday prayers. According to various estimates, between 60 and more than 100 worshippers—including women and children—were taken captive and transported by the perpetrators to forested areas near Lake Kainji.

At the same time, in Benue State, dozens of civilians fell victim to raids by armed groups on motorcycles. In the Mbazun/Mbatere area alone, 47 people were killed in mid-August, and another 17 were seriously injured. The bishops expressed solidarity with the Muslim community, emphasizing that “an attack on any place of worship is an attack on our entire community.”

In their statement, the church leaders urgently called on the country’s authorities and security forces to stop “this massacre on our soil.” The bishops also addressed the perpetrators directly, reminding them that human life is sacred and that no cause can justify such cruelty.