The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a scathing condemnation of the Nigerian government over the unrelenting killings across the country, particularly in Benue and Plateau States, accusing authorities of abandoning their constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property.

In a statement released on Friday, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Owerri, described the wave of violence as “heartbreaking” and “barbaric,” citing gruesome killings that have displaced families, orphaned children, and left countless women widowed.

“The gruesome killings of people in their homes are heartbreaking. These barbaric acts have rendered hundreds of families homeless, orphaned children, and left women widowed,” Archbishop Ugorji said.

He directly criticized both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government for their failure to act decisively, stressing that the inaction reflects a disturbing collapse of law and order.

“No matter how well a government pays salaries or builds roads, its failure to protect human lives renders its achievements hollow. The sanctity of human life is supreme,” he added.

Ugorji lamented the abandonment of grieving communities and called the silence of authorities a stain on the nation’s humanity. He urged leaders at all levels to prioritize the safety of citizens, noting that any government that fails to do so loses its moral legitimacy.

“Any government that fails to make the safety and protection of its citizens and their property its foremost priority abdicates its fundamental responsibility and moral legitimacy,” the Archbishop warned.

The CBCN demanded urgent action to restore peace, prosecute the perpetrators, and rebuild trust among vulnerable communities in Benue and beyond.