Fresh Attacks on Churches in Nigeria “deeply discouraging”: Catholic Official

“We are in the middle of the country. If you are coming from the North, you access the West through the Central. If you are coming from the West, you access the North through the Central. If insecurity is not tackled properly, we will always be at the receiving end,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest explained.

He warned that daily life in Kogi State has become unsafe, with fear dominating travel and movement. 

“No road now is safe. If you want to use one road, there is a rumour that people were kidnapped there a few days ago. You try another road, and the same story repeats. Yet we have a military barracks and even a naval post in parts of the state. With all these, banditry and terrorism are still on the increase,” Fr. Okoliko said.

He faulted authorities for failing in their primary responsibility to safeguard citizens.

“The government has a sacred duty to protect lives and property. Unfortunately, some people are playing politics with human life. That is why statements sometimes come out that are completely disconnected from the reality on the ground,” the Catholic Priest said.

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Beyond general insecurity, Fr. Okoliko said attacks on Churches and Clergy point to a deeper pattern of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

“From historical antecedents, Churches have been major targets. I have not heard, at least in the same proportion, of imams being kidnapped like Pastors and Priests. Bishops have been threatened. Priests have been kidnapped. Pastors have been kidnapped,” he said. 

Fr. Okoliko said, “There is strategy, there is deliberateness, and there is targeting of a particular group. In some attacks, assailants waited until Christians gathered for worship before striking. Those killed were Christians. This cannot be dismissed as a coincidence.”

While cautioning against blaming an entire religion, he insisted that Christians remain the most persecuted group in Nigeria today.

“We cannot make a universal accusation against all adherents of any religion. But from what we see and experience, Christians have suffered the most, and the persecution is ongoing,” he said. 

As Christians approach the Christmas Season, traditionally marked by increased Church activities, Fr. Okoliko urged both spiritual and practical responses.

“First is prayer. I believe strongly in the power of prayer but prayer must go with vigilance. Jesus said, watch and pray. Christians should not be careless. Personal security consciousness is important,” he said.

The Parish Priest of St. John Paul II Parish of Idah Diocese also called on religious leaders to intensify engagement with the government, saying, “It is the right of citizens to worship freely. It is the duty of the security apparatus to protect them.”

Despite the prevailing fear, Fr. Okoliko urged Christians in Kogi State not to succumb to panic or false alarms during the Christmas festivities.

He encouraged believers to rely on faith while remaining cautious. 

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“God has protected us through many challenges, including COVID 19. He will not abandon us now. The birth of Christ comes with peace. As we approach Christmas, let us live in peace, avoid unnecessary suspicion, and trust that God will protect His people,” he told ACI Africa on December 16.

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Catholic journalist with passion for Church communication and media apostolate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Benue State University, Makurdi in Benue State Nigeria. He has a background in print, electronic and multi-media production.