Catholic priests in Enugu Diocese on Friday took to the streets to protest the killing of their colleague Paul Offu, parish priest of St. James the Great parish, Ugbawka, who was shot dead on Thursday by yet-to-be-identified persons.
The priests matched through major streets in their hundreds, carrying placards.
They were at the state government house as well as the state police command headquarters where they dropped letters stating their grievances.
Benjamin Achi, communications director of the diocese, in an interview with the Cable, accused herdsmen of being behind the attacks in the state including the one that led to Offu’s death.
“The rate of insecurity has gone out of hand and the government should rise to the occasion,”he said.
“The fulani herdsmen have been killing people repeatedly. The incident yesterday makes it third priest attacked in recent months.
“It is not just about the priests, it is about the people as well. Most people cannot even go to their farms.
“The priests are so angry; we dropped our message with the governor and left.”
Offu’s death followed two recent attacks on two priests in the state: Ikechukwu Ilo was seriously injured by kidnappers after he refused to stop his car.
While Clement Ugwu was killed by armed men while returning from a meeting in Ezeagu local government area.
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