Bishop vows to stay on after Boko Haram massacre

The Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Oliver Doeme, has vowed to remain with his people in the face of the murder of at least 85 men and women by Islamist militants near Maiduguri City, in Borno State.

Boko Haram gunmen attacked the village of Dalori late last Saturday, burning down homes and sending residents fleeing into the bush. Many bodies were burnt beyond recognition after four hours of violence.

But Bishop Doeme told The Tablet: “I am in Maiduguri, and I am staying in Maiduguri with my people.”

The bishop explained that many local Catholics had fled “but the few that remain are bold and courageous, with priests ministering to the people of God both in cities and in the villages”. He added that “Boko Haram will certainly go, with the help of God, and the Church will flourish in this north eastern part of the country”.

Bishop Doeme believes that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is determined to end the insurgency, “but one of the main problems being encountered by the soldiers is insufficient arms”.

He fears that, “past generals pocketed the funds that were meant for the purchase of arms to confront the terrorists”.

Fr Patrick Alumuku, director of communications of Abuja Diocese, told Vatican Radio on Tuesday that since it started losing territory Boko Haram has reverted to hit-and-run attacks on villages, places of worship and markets.

He said that more than two million people had been displaced. Many Nigerians, he added, felt “abandoned by the international community”.