Catholic priests under the aegis of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have condemned the killings in Benue State, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

This was as the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, expressed concern over unending killings in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country, asserting that the blood of innocent citizens was crying for justice.

On Sunday, 43 people were killed when gunmen attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa local councils of the state. At a briefing in Abuja, yesterday, the President-general of CBCN, Leonard Kawas, asked Tinubu to declare emergency rule in Benue to address the killings.

Kawas also denounced the alleged threats directed at the Catholic bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Wilfred Anagbe, an “unflinching voice” for the people of Benue over the killings.

On March 12, Anagbe and Rev Fr Remigius Ihyula, appeared before the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to testify about militants killing and forcibly displacing Christian farmers in Benue.

The clergymen also alleged an ongoing campaign to Islamise the country.

According to Obi, the security and survival of the people must be the foremost responsibility of any government that claims to be responsible and compassionate.

The former governor of Anambra State posted this on his X handle, yesterday while extending his condolences to the people of Benue over the recent killings in the state.

He also commended the recent move by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Olufemi Oloyede, to relocate along with principal staff officers to Benue.