The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has decried the continued bloodshed in Benue State, calling on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to halt the violence and restore peace in the region.
In a statement issued Wednesday and co-signed by Acting National President Martins Braimah and National Secretary-General Dame Chisara Egwim-Chima, the Council described Nigeria—particularly Benue—as a “valley of blood,” echoing sentiments expressed by Pope Leo XIII and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
“The killings and displacements in Benue State reflect a deep crisis of governance and disregard for human life,” the Council stated, urging the government to rise above political and ethnic loyalties to protect its citizens.
The Council’s five-point action plan includes the immediate deployment of security forces, creation of conflict-resolution platforms, aid for victims, legal reforms to protect local communities, and greater community involvement in policy making.
“Governance must begin with the safety of the people,” the Council said, warning that silence in the face of ongoing atrocities would only embolden further violence.
CLCN also called on Catholic faithful and Nigerians at large to become agents of peace and justice, invoking the teachings of Pope Leo XIII which emphasize dignity, justice, and active civic participation.
“The time for action is now,” the statement concluded. “We must not stand by while lives are lost. Nigerians must unite to demand a future free from violence and fear.”
