15:T786,

The Catholic community in Borno State is currently being denied the services of about 20 priest displaced by Boko Haram attacks in recent times.

Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Rt. Rev Oliver Doeme Dashe, disclosed yesterday that the diocese which has 46 priests is currently working with only 26. He said three deaneries of the existing six in the diocese had been occupied by Boko Haram insurgents.

He, therefore, called on the federal government to step up action towards ending the spate of attacks in the northeast and across the country, noting that the continued attacks on Nigerians across the country are taking a toll on the lives of peace-loving citizens of the nation.

Bishop Dashe said the three states under his leadership have been under emergency rule and frequent attacks by the Boko Haram sect and that the situation has paralysed economic, social, religious and agricultural activities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states respectively, leaving the people to suffer in poverty.

“The government is supposed to be proactive but the Boko Haram is always ahead of the security personnel and even the plans of the government. Something is basically wrong and I am therefore using this opportunity to call on the government to act decisively before this cancer spreads to every part of the body,” Dashe said.

He also expressed fears that the government is losing some towns to the insurgents who are advancing gradually, having long taken over Bama, Gwoza, Uba, and now Mubi, apart from several other local government areas in northern part of Borno State.

He said the federal government needs to be more proactive to secure the people who are now living in great fear of further attacks from the insurgents.

•Adapted from a LEADERSHIP report. Photo shows Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Rt. Rev Oliver Doeme Dashe.

Update news