“Our Priests Are Being Attacked, Harassed By Fulani Herdsmen” – Bishop Condemns The Killing of Catholic Priests In Enugu

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, has described the attack on three catholic priests by suspected herdsmen in Enugu as unfortunate and saddening.

Three Catholic priests were on Sept. 26, attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Akachine, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on their way from a condolence visit.

The attack left one of them, Rev Fr. Jude Chetanna Chukwuneke (who was driving) with bullet wounds in the head; and another, Rev. Fr Jude Ezeokana, with injuries sustained after their car fell into a bush.

The last one, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Dim, who was initially kidnapped, was however, released two days later. Ezeokafor told newsmen in Awka on Sunday that the attack the priests were strongly condemnable by all.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, to urgently look into the security situation in the aforementioned areas. According to him, the Fulani herdsmen had been a thorn in the flesh of the people of the South-East geopolitical zone.

The cleric urged the Federal Government to come up with clear cut plans to curtail the excesses of Fulani herdsmen. “Women are being raped and intimidated. Innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered on a daily basis by this same people.

“Why would they allow them to be unleashing terror on the people? Our priests are being attacked, harassed and embarrassed by Fulani herdsmen.

“We are not happy at all. The same issue was discussed at our last meeting of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. “Please, let’s support them in prayers and let our voices echo for justice,” Ezeokafor said.

He urged the Federal Government to do something serious about the Fulani herdsmen’s menace.

(NAN)