“Killing of priests, worshippers is vile, evil, and satanic – Buhari reacts to fresh killings in Benue
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the killing of two priests and worshippers at at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community, Benue State as “despicable”.
Reports say some unidentified herdsmen launched an attack on the church early Tuesday morning, killing the priests and 17 other worshippers.
Buhari said the attack was aimed at creating religious conflict in the country and pledged to bring the assailants to book.
“I extend my sincere condolences to the government and people of Benue State, the Mbalom community, and especially the Bishop, priests and members of the St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, whose premises was the unfortunate venue of the heinous killings by gunmen,” the president said in a statement released by Femi Adesina.
“This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable.
“Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshippers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting,” he added.
Buhari’s early response to the attack is an unusual one, as his government has mostly been criticised for being unresponsive to tragic incidents around the country.
