Catholic bishops condemn Borgu mosque attack, demand release of abducted worshippers
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has condemned the abduction of more than 60 Muslim worshippers from a mosque in Borgu LGA of Niger state, calling for their immediate and safe release.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, CBCN president, also condemned the killing of 47 people in Ukum LGA of Benue state, where 17 others were reportedly critically wounded.
The CBCN president said attacks on places of worship and innocent citizens must be condemned regardless of their religious or ethnic identity.
The intervention comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity and attacks on communities across the country.
Ndagoso said the bishops expressed sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the Benue attack while standing in solidarity with the Muslim community in Niger State.
According to him, they prayed for the safe return of the abducted worshippers and called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release.
Quoting Genesis 4:10, “The blood of your brother cries out to me from the ground”, the CBCN president said no political, ethnic or religious cause could justify the killing or abduction of innocent people.
He added that attacks on mosques, churches, markets and private homes inflict trauma on citizens and require a decisive response from authorities.
He acknowledged government efforts to address insecurity but warned political leaders and security chiefs against complacency.
The CBCN president urged security agencies to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven operations to identify and dismantle criminal networks before they launch attacks.
He also called for the swift prosecution of those responsible for attacks, including their sponsors, saying accountability was necessary to break the cycle of impunity.
Addressing bandits and kidnappers, the CBCN president quoted Galatians 6:7, “God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” and urged them to abandon violence before facing the consequences of their actions.
The CBCN said the protection of human life should transcend religious, ethnic and political differences, stressing that violence against one group constitutes a threat to the wider society.
The bishops’ condemnation of the attacks on Muslim worshippers comes as part of their broader call for an end to violence and stronger protection of civilians across Nigeria.
