Document
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is deeply shocked by the criminal attack on a church community during a Sunday morning mass at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. This is barbaric attack is a crime against humanity, and an outrage against the sanctity and sacredness of life common to all religions. There can be no justification, religious or otherwise, for such an atrocity.
The attackers are reported to have killed dozens of worshippers and to have wounded many others during the morning mass on Pentecost Sunday 5 June 2022. The very next day, other criminals attacked a housing estate in the Federal Capital Territory and kidnapped a number of residents. Not isolated incidents but part of a longstanding and growing crisis, it is obvious that the security situation in Nigeria is worsening by the day.
The activities of criminal groups compound the threat posed to the people of Nigeria by violent extremism in the Lake Chad basin and the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP. These threats, if unaddressed, undermine peace and security in the whole region.
WCC joins with the churches and all peace loving people of Nigeria in condemning in the strongest possible terms these attacks. The protection of the lives and properties of its people is the main duty of any government. Therefore, WCC urges the Nigerian government and authorities to fulfil this duty, to restore security in all affected areas of the country, and to ensure that perpetrators are apprehended and held accountable for their crimes.
The WCC conveys its solidarity and support to the churches of Nigeria as they seek to fulfil their essential ministry for justice, peace and human dignity and rights in this escalating crisis. We pray that you may experience the presence and the love of God even in the midst of these challenges.
Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca,
World Council of Churches acting general secretary
