The Catholic Church leader, Pope Francis, has condoled with families of victims of the Christmas Eve attack in some communities in Plateau State by Fulani militia which led to the death of about 200 persons.
Suspected Nigerian Fulani militia attacked 21 Christian villages in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Christmas Eve, killing nearly 200 villagers according to government officials and humanitarian groups.
The number of deceased is expected to rise as families continue to search for missing loved ones.
The Pope’s condolence were sent on Sunday, December 31 to the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Fr. Mike Umoh
He prayed God to free Nigeria from these atrocities..
He said, “Unfortunately, the celebration of Christmas in Nigeria was marked by serious violence in the State of Plateau, with many victims. I am praying for them and their families. May God free Nigeria from these atrocities!”
The Pope also remembered those who lost their lives in the explosion of the tanker truck in Liberia, victims of war in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and many other countries.
He said, “At the end of a year, let us have the courage to ask ourselves: How many human lives have been broken by armed conflict? How many dead? And how much destruction, suffering, poverty? May those who have interests in these conflicts listen to the voice of their conscience. And let us not forget the suffering Rohingya!”