Catholic Bishops Condemn Herdsmen Massacre in Benue, Call for Urgent Prayers

Anambra State Catholic Bishops

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

The Catholic Bishops of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province have, in the strongest terms, condemned the gruesome massacre of innocent people on Friday night in Benue State by suspected herdsmen.

They also issued a call for urgent prayers to end the bloodshed occurring across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, and made available to journalists in Onitsha, the bishops disclosed that they had received credible reports of similar senseless attacks and killings that took place in parts of Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The prelates expressed deep anguish and shock over the relentless shedding of innocent blood across various regions of the country. They described the killings as acts of inhumanity, barbarity, and a gross violation of the sanctity and dignity of human life.

“In many parts of Nigeria today, people live in constant fear due to insecurity. We, therefore, call on the Nigerian government to immediately put an end to the almost daily bloodshed in different parts of our country. We also urge the government to rise to its primary duty of restoring security, justice, and peace in Nigeria,” the bishops stated.

“As spiritual leaders of God’s people, we call on all men and women of goodwill in our province to turn to God in prayer during this critical moment in our nation’s history. God is our hope, and ‘our hope does not disappoint us’ (Romans 5:5),” they declared.

The bishops further urged all priests and religious in the province to observe Friday, June 20, 2025, as a special day of prayer and fasting. They explained that the intention of this observance is to seek peace and security, especially in Benue State, Enugu State, and other areas of Nigeria experiencing similar tragedies.

Meanwhile, the bishops offered prayers for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the attacks. They expressed hope that God would receive their souls and console their grieving families.

“In addition to fasting, we request that all priests and religious in our province dedicate their Holy Masses, Holy Rosaries, and Divine Offices on Friday, June 20, to this noble intention. We lift up our eyes to the mountains, from whence comes our help. Our help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth (Psalm 121:2). We appeal to our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace and Queen of Nigeria, to intercede for our nation,” the bishops added.