Members of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Edo State on Friday embarked on a peaceful protest against killing and kidnapping of their priests.
This is against the backdrop of recent kidnapping of a priest in the diocese and killing of a seminarian.
The protesters in their numbers, including priests, took to the streets of Auchi carrying placards with various inscriptions.
Recall that a priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli and seminarian, Andrew Peter were recently kidnapped; while the priest was released after ransom was reportedly paid, the seminarian was killed by his abductors.
Rev. Fr (Dr) Clement Anadevha, Director, Justice Development and Justice Commission (JDPC) who led the protesters demanded the “government to declare a state of emergency on security of lives and property.”
Anadevha also led the protesters to the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia where they also registered their displeasure over the attack on priests in the area.
In his response, Dunia said he had made several efforts on security matters, wondering why priests and the churches are now victims of kidnapping.
He called on the government to act, lamenting that farmlands have been occupied by bandits who now deprive farmers from going to the farm.
The protesters also took their protest to the Etsako West Council secretariat to register their grievances.
Addressing the protesters, the chairman of the local government, Mr Valentine Okwilagwe promised to take their request to the appropriate authority.