Abuja, Nigeria, May 24, 2018 / 11:38 am
Catholics from across Nigeria participated in peaceful protests on Tuesday, calling for greater government protection following a recent attack at a Catholic Church that left 19 dead.
Thousands of people in 54 cities across Nigeria participated in protests May 22, corresponding with the burial of two priests and 17 parishioners killed by Fulani herdsmen, who opened fire at a daily Mass on April 24. The herdsmen then flooded the streets, attacking pedestrians and setting fires to some 50 homes.
White caskets of those killed in the attacks were carried through the streets of the Benue state's capital city, Makurdi, near Saint Ignatius Church, where the attack took place. Christians in other cities carried signs on the same day to proclaim the sacredness of life and a greater need for government aid.
The state of Benue shut down operations May 22 to honor those who died, Nigeria's PM news reported. Several dozen bishops attended the burials and spoke at rallies across the nation.