Catholic Bishops Criticize Nigerian Authorities Over Killings in Benue State

In light of the persistent violence in Benue State and other regions, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has strongly criticized both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Benue State Government for failing to uphold their essential duty of safeguarding lives and ensuring public security.

In a statement issued by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Owerri, the bishops voiced profound sorrow and distress over what they called inhumane attacks on innocent communities throughout the state.

The statement described the gruesome violence against helpless residents—where numerous lives have been brutally taken, properties ruined, and families shattered—as a direct insult to God, a deep wound to humanity, and a chilling example of the total collapse of the security system in Nigeria.

The bishops emphasized that regardless of any infrastructural developments or salary payments by the government, a failure to secure human life undermines all other achievements. They reiterated that human life holds the highest value and must be treated as such.

They further urged both state and federal governments to act promptly and decisively by restoring peace, arresting the attackers, and delivering justice to the victims.

The statement read in part: “A government that cannot prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens and their properties loses both its essential purpose and moral justification.”