We will end the evil of this satanic attack, VP says in Benue at Mbalom killings victims’ funeral

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE FUNERAL MASS OF THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS AND WORSHIPPERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN MBALOM, BENUE STATE, ON TUESDAY, 22ND MAY, 2018.

It was early in the morning of April  24th, 2018, that Rev. Fr. Joseph Ghor, Felix Tyolaha and 17 members of their congregation, were in the safest possible place; the early morning mass, where saints of the  Ignatius Parish at Ukpo, were about to be violated by those who do not fear God nor man.

Within minutes, gun shots were fired, and 19 men and women were dead in the premises of the House of God.  They killed the flesh, but they could not touch the spirit that belongs to the one who created all of us.

The killers won nothing, they gained nothing, they achieved nothing, yet they caused grieve and anguish to families, friends and to the nation.  But what pleasure is there in causing pain or anguish? What manner of man wakes up in the morning, determined to kill innocent men and women? Surely, such a one has lost his peace, he is to be condemned and cursed but perhaps, deserves our pity even more.

We remember today, these satanic killings and the history of killings in places of worship in Nigeria which spans many years.

The history of killings in places of worship in Nigeria:

*6th Jan 2012, 12 Christian worshippers,

*25th Feb 2012, 6 in Jos,

*26th April 2012, 15 persons killed in church in Kano,

*17th June 2012, 19 people killed in an attack in a church in Kaduna,

*And of course, there were very many killings in mosques.

But what do we owe the dead today? What do we owe those who died; these 19 who died here in Benue, and the very many others who were killed here?

We cannot bring them back, but we can provide succour and comfort for those that they left behind, we can ensure justice for them by apprehending and punishing their assailants.

We must rebuild the many places that have been damaged, and heal the wounds that have been caused. We must reform and rebuild our system of law and enforcement, to ensure, that those who work and live in the land are safe. Most importantly, we must stop these senseless killings.

Sometimes, evil seems to be winning, but as night follows day, this evil will be defeated and good will triumph.  There is none, perhaps few of us, who are not angered and outraged by these killings; the bitterness of the anguish of the family of the deceased is visible, we all see it, we all feel it.  And it’s possible to look around here today and be deeply saddened by the faces of so many who lost their loved ones.

But like His Royal Majesty, Tor Tiv, said, do not seek to right the wrong by revenge.  Forgiveness may be difficult, indeed His Holiness, Pope Francis agreed and offered timeless advice. I quote him, he said, “forgiving now and ever is not by hearsay, it is always very difficult.

How can we imitate Jesus? For when do we begin to pardon the small and great wrongs that we suffer each day?” And then he offered his advice, he said, “first of all, beginning with prayer as St. Stephen did, it begins with our own heart.  With prayer, we begin to face the resentment we feel by entrusting to God’s mercy, those who have wronged us.”

He then concluded and I quote again, “indeed true witnesses are those who act and live as St. Stephen did, those who pray, who love, who forgive but above all, those who forget because forgiveness as the word itself said, is the highest expression of giving.”

So, on behalf of the President, and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I bring sincere greetings to you; first to His Eminent, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Church in Nigeria, and to Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi in particular, and the people of Benue State, the Benue people.

The Lord Almighty will defend this land. As Jesus said concerning His church, “I will build my church and gates of hell will not prevail against it.”  The church of the living God here in Benue is indestructible.

May God bless you.