Pope Laments Senseless Violence in Nigeria

•Photo:     Pope Benedict XV 

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday lamented what he called "senseless killings" in Nigeria and called for an end to the menace.

Extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has been carrying out bombings and gun attacks in the Northern part of the country.
In the latest orgy of killings, unknown gunmen shot about 10 people to death in Zamfara State on Sunday.
The Pope urged Nigerians to build "a peaceful and reconciled society", adding that ''baneful religious fanaticism" has produced many victims.
Speaking through his twitter account on Monday (Benedict XVI @Pontifex), Pope Benedict said: "Nigerians have a special place in my heart, as so many have been victims of senseless violence in recent months."
He also appealed for peace in Syria by calling for constructive dialogue.
"I renew my appeal for a ceasefire and the inauguration as quickly as possible of a constructive dialogue aimed at putting an end to a conflict which will know no victors but only vanquished if it continues, leaving behind it nothing but a field of ruins," he said.
The Pope had earlier in his Christmas and New Year messages called for an end to violence in the Northern part of Nigeria.
In his Christmas message, he said: "This good earth exists, and today too, in 2012, from this earth truth has sprung up! Consequently, there is hope in the world, a hope in which we can trust, even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations.
"May the birth of Christ favour the return of peace in Mali and that of concord in Nigeria, where savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians," he said.
He had also stated during an address from the Vatican last year: "I am following with deep concern the news from Nigeria, where terrorist attacks are continuing, especially against Christians.
"I appeal to those responsible for the violence to immediately stop spilling the blood of innocent people."
Meanwhile, pandemonium broke out on Sunday at Egbo-Uwherun community, Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State, following the killing of two Fulani herdsmen by yet unknown gunmen.
Our correspondent gathered that the deceased were rearing about 52 cattles belonging to one Akpevwen Akedeye in the premises of late Stafford Obrutse, owner of Imoniyame Holdings, who died in the recent Dana plane crash.
A source said the two Fulani herdsmen were found dead in the premises at about 3.00 p.m. with their stomach opened up after being shot by their assailants, adding that their locally made gun and bows and arrows were found beside them.
The source explained further that vital parts of their bodies might have been removed by the hoodlums, noting that only two cows out of the 52 were found wandering in the community. The source expressed worry that the suspected assailants may have made away with the other 50 cows.
Residents, particularly youths of the hitherto peaceful community, were seen fleeing for fear of being arrested by the police at the time of filling this report.
Effort to reach the police authorities in the state for comments on the matter proved abortive at press time but a senior police officer in the Ughelli 'A' Division confirmed the incident.
The police source, who preferred anonymity, stated that he suspected that the herdsmen were killed with a rifle gun, adding that the police had taken the corpses to the morgue.
The police source revealed further that no arrest had been made, but that the police were already investigating the matter.
He expressed confidence that the killers would be found and made to face the law.


Sent from my BlackBerry® Smartphone, from Etisalat. Enjoy high speed internet service with Etisalat easy net, available at all our experience centres