Nigeria: More than 100,000 Catholics have fled Boko Haram

Advancing terror

More than 100,000 Catholics have been forced to flee from areas controlled by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria. Fr Gideon Obasogie, Head of Social Communications of the Diocese of Maiduguri, said that thousands of displaced people have sought refuge in mountain caves, while a few have managed to escape to Maiduguri and Yola.

"A large number of Nigerians are trapped and forced to follow the strict interpretation of the rules of Sharia in different cities like Bama, Gwoza, Madagali, Gulak, Shuwa, Michika Uba and Mubi. We are talking about towns located along the road that links Maiduguri and Yola to Adamawa State", said Fr Obasogie. "Terrorists have declared that all conquered cities are part of the Islamic Caliphate."

"Mubi is a predominantly Christian community and is the second largest in Adamawa State after Yola. It has two important parishes: Saint Andrew and the Holy Trinity, as well as two chaplains at the Technical University and the University of Adamawa State".

Fr Obasogie said: "On 29 October, it was a sad day for our diocese because 50,000 inhabitants from Mubi were forced to flee from Boko Haram. A good number of them fled to Cameroon, where they were trapped for days, including five priests and two nuns... With the fall of Mubi, three out of the six deaneries, are occupied by terrorists". Despite all this, concluded Fr Obasogie, "we remain faithful to the teaching of the Church on bearing witness with our presence."

Source: Fides