…Hoodlums Invade Church, Kill 3 Worshippers, Bandits Ransack Plateau Community, Kill 160 Persons, Cultists Kills Journalist In Edo, Council Boss Dies On Christmas Day
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
2023 Christmas celebration could be adjudged in some parts of Nigeria and to some families as ‘Black Festive Period’ as different parts of the country and by extension the world in general witnessed some horrible scenarios of brutal killings, prompting some persons to asked; ‘Where is God when bad things happens‘.Â
With the atmosphere fully charged with joy and anticipation for Christians and their well wishers in preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ in some parts, others have their lives cut short in pains and horror across Nigeria.
In Ebonyi State, innocent Catholic worshippers attending Christmas vigil mass on Sunday night at about 11:30pm, were massacred by hoodlums that stormed the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Nkweagu community of Abakaliki local government area of the state, and opened fire on worshippers killing three persons and injuring many.Â
Their offenses and crime that has made the daredevil criminals to desecrate the sanctuary of God is yet to be known.Â
Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, condemned the killing and described it as sad and disheartening even as he prayed for the repose of their souls.
In Edo State, families of a broadcast journalist, Hilary Nosa Odia, had no reasons to celebrate Christmas as their joy was abruptly terminated.Â
Hilary Nosa Odia, a broadcast journalist with the Independent Television and Radio, was allegedly gunned down by suspected cultists around 2nd East Circular area in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Christmas Eve (December 24th). He was said to have closed from work at about 4pm, and on his way home, when he was denied of being part of the 2023 Christmas and living his loved ones in agony. Christmas celebration was canceled totally for them. It was a black one indeed.
In Plateau State, over 160 persons including children, women and men were gruesomely murdered on Christmas day while others were celebrating in joy. Their celebration ended in a horror, bitterness and pains. Their offenses is also yet to be unrivalled.Â
Families, friends, people and government of Ogun state also had their own share of the bitter pills as the caretaker of Ejigbo local government area of Osun state, Alhaji Raheem Issa Sofoluwe, ’48’ lost his life to death on Christmas day.
He had earlier paid Christmas visit to one of his leader in Ejigbo who is commissioner for land and physical planning in the state, Hon. George Alabi.
According to news blog; ‘the reflector.com, the late council boss drove himself to Hon. George Alabi’s house to pay homage after which he returned home and died few minutes later.
Meanwhile Christians in Palestine had canceled the celebration of Jesus’s birth anniversary following the offensive bombardment by Israel in Gaza. The birth place of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem, suspended the celebration in solidarity with the people of Gaza.Â
With these horrible scenario’s, citizens have rhetorically asked questions that seems to threatens their faith. They have asked out of frustration and despaired, where is God when bad things happens, but they are aware that God is always on His throne watching the wicked heart of men.Â
Several things happened around Nigeria and the globe that presented 2023 Christmas celebration in dark picture, but we at SOUTHERNVOICE.COM are hopeful that 2024 will again returned smile into our faces and joy in our hearts.Â