Nigeria: Over 500 Catholics killed by Boko Haram since 2009

Bishop Doeme

More than 500 Catholics have been killed and 20 churches and priests houses destroyed, in the north-east of Nigeria by Boko Haram, since 2009. This assertion was made by the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri, Most Rev Oliver Dashe Doeme in an interview with Fides this week.

Mgr Doeme says that at the root of the actions carried out by Boko Haram, that also kill for religious reasons, there is corruption. "Corruption is the number one problem of the nation" he said, 'the Boko Haram insurgency is a product of corruption. The Federal Government should fight corruption headlong".

"It is sad to see how few people are sitting on billions of naira" added Bishop Doeme. "The youths that are involved in Boko Haram activities could have distanced themselves from it if they were given opportunities".

In an interview in 2011 with Fides Agency, Archbishop Doeme also denounced the connivance of some local politicians with Boko Haram: "The involvement of some politicians in the sect is relevant since its founding. At first it was a group created to defend the interests of certain politicians, then it turned into a violent sect, but political connections have always remained" .

The fact that Boko Haram also attacks the local Muslim community is an indication that their motives are political and not only religious.

Source: Fides