MBALOM KILLINGS: I NEED AN APOLOGY FROM ROTIMI AMAECHI - BISHOP ANAGBE OF MAKURDI DIOCESE SAID TODAY.{PHOTOS}.#PRESS RELEASE.

- November 30, 2018

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Makurdi Diocese Catholic Bishop, Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe has demanded an apology from Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and those who he said have been employed to change the true narrative about those who killed his two priests and 17 worshipers in Mbalom last April.

He made the demand today at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ukpo, Mbalom during a homily to mark the rite of atonement and purification of the community from the spilled blood.

Bishop Anagbe stated that even if Benue state as a whole does not need an apology, the Catholic Church, and particularly Makurdi Diocese demands such from those found culpable.

He stated that survivors and witnesses know that the killers are Fulani herdsmen militia who killed unarmed parishioners at Agena in 2014 and also carried out this year's attack and killings.

The Bishop expressed worry that the government was using Christians including the minister, APC national chairman as well as presidential spokesman to change the true narrative on the killings.

He noted that it was childish and hypocritical for people to insinuate that Benue people or Christians were killing themselves, asking who was responsible for the killings in other states including Zamfara and Katsina.

He said Fulani herdsmen militia sent Rev. Fr. Felix Tyolaha parking from Yogbo in Guma Local Government Area before and he had to plead with him to come to Mbalom and serve only to be killed.

The Bishop stressed that the changing narrative was an insult on the sensibilities of the Benue people and Tiv nation in particular which he noted has been politically disadvantaged from lack of influential federal appointments even as the fourth largest ethnic group in the country.

He urged politicians not sell the Tiv people for what he described as leftovers.The Bishop offered special prayers at the spot where Father Tyolaha was killed before the celebration of mass.More photos below.