Catholic faithful across the country on Tuesday embarked on a protest over the April 24 killing of two priests in Benue State.
The two priests – Rev. Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha – and 17 other worshippers where killed by suspected herdsmen in Gwer local government area of Benue State during mass.
In continuation of the protests by Christian across the country, the Catholic faithful took to the streets on Tuesday.
The protests followed the directive of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, to that effect.
The protest which is titled “March for Life” was designed to be peaceful and prayerful.
In its directive, the CBCN called on the protesters to dress in the uniforms of their different societies, organisations, apostolate, parish or Bishop’s installations.
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Those without uniforms were advised to appear in white, black dresses or any other coloured dress.
The priests were directed to appear in their habits and cassocks.
During the protest in Lagos, the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Archbishop Adewale Martins, celebrated the requiem mass for the deceased at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Toyin Street, Ikeja.
The parishioners, priests, vicars and reverend sisters and other Christians converge for the occasion.
According to Archbishop Martins, Our faith will not fail us; the dead have left the state of mortality to the state of immortality where they can have rest.
He also spoke on the poor state of living in the country and the high rate of malnutrition which children suffer.
He regretted that those in Internally Displaced Persons camps were left with little or no hope.
After the mass, the ‘March for Life’ started from the church to the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos where they were received by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions, among which were: ‘Bring the Killers to Justice Now;’ ‘Stop This Carnage! This Is Evil;’ ‘Give Jobs to Our Youths;’ ‘No More Killings’ and ‘We Are All Nigerians.’
