The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday condemned the killing of church goers and two priests, at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, as “vile, evil and satanic.”
Mr. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, expressed the President’s opinion in a statement.
The killing of priests and church goers was described, by Buhari, as a calculated attempt to initiate religious conflict and plunge communities into endless bloodletting
He stated that his government would not accede to the machinations of evildoers and swore that the perpetrators of the horrific incident would be hunted down and made to pay for the sacrilege committed.
The President said, “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.
“This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable.
“Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshipers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting.”