Members of the Clergy, women and men Religious traveling to the city of Maiduguri in Northeastern Nigeria, where the country’s Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri is headquartered have been directed to avoid the shortcut road “between Mubi through Gwoza” due to an upsurge in cases of targeted abductions.
In an interview with ACI Africa, a Clergy of the Nigerian Diocese has confirmed the ban and explained its justification.
“Given the recent resurgence of Boko Haram and the constant attacks, the Diocese has now placed a ban on the use of the road between Mubi through Gwoza to Maiduguri by all Priests, the Religious, and even the laity of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri,” Fr. Fidelis Joseph Bature told ACI Africa on Tuesday, June 10.
The ban that was contained in a June 4 directive followed the June 1 attack during which Maiduguri Diocesan staff identified as Zion was killed by suspected Boko Haram militants, who abducted Fr. Alphonsus Afina, Fr. Bature said, adding that the incident happened near Limankara, a town on the dangerous border between Adamawa and Borno States in Northeastern Nigeria.
“If for any reason someone must come to Maiduguri, he must use the longer route that is through Yola, Gombe, Potiskum, and Damaturu,” said the Nigerian Catholic Priest, who serves as the Director of Psychosocial Support, Mental Health, and Trauma Care of Maiduguri Diocese.
He went on to express concern about the resurgence of violence in the region, saying, “Our area has been a red zone for years. It’s by God’s grace that we’ve managed to operate, but the dangers are real and increasing.”
“The truth is, both Priests and laypeople are at risk. The insurgents are regaining momentum. There have been attacks in Dikwa, Gwoza, Izgi, and Damboa. What we are witnessing is a gradual reoccupation of places that were previously secured.” Fr. Bature told ACI Africa during the June 10 interview.
Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder, and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.
In another interview with ACI Africa, the Director of Communications for the Maiduguri Diocese, Fr. Francis Nnaemeka, provided details about the abduction of Fr. Afina, the assistant Coordinator of the Diocesan Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC).
@Association for Catholic Information in Africa (ACI Africa)