Wolves of shame, sheep of faith: Denying Christian genocide in Nigeria: As noted in Part 1 of this narrative, human dignity stems from our being part of humanity, irrespective of our faiths and beliefs. Thus, I ask the Bola Tinubu government to let all Nigerians (Christians included) to live peacefully. Whilst praying for the ‘silent shepherd’ to regain his sheep’s clothing, what I know for sure is, what is happening in many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region is Christian Genocide – pure and simple, and many of our lands feel like spiritual wastelands – deserted and desolate. We serve a God, Almighty, Just, Merciful and Faithful to His promises to restore the wastelands. In His unfathomable mercy, I know that the prayers of Christians and those of other faiths who believe in ‘live and let live’, will avail much. Such that, God’s mercy will repair the damage from the devastation.
By Elsie-Bernadette Onubogu
I restart this long and heart-rending inquiry only to review two additional and more disturbing comments from the silent shepherd.
Let me begin by reminding readers some Biblical truths, i.e., holiness does not require fame but faithfulness. Thus, we don’t need to shout about our faith, rather, live it! This is why, God, throughout the Bible, was not in the habit of choosing the most talented, famous, or the most powerful. He chooses the most willing – the stories of Joseph and David reaffirm this. Here, I believe Bishop Anagbe (Benue) and many of us have chosen to be the sheep of faith standing for truth!
But, what is truth, if this silent shepherd now lives under the illusion or delusion that an interfaith marriage between a Muslim and a Pentecostal Church devotee baptizes and washes away the mind of prejudice, bias, bigotry and hatred? Where is truth for an interfaith marriage that insisted and championed a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the leadership of Nigeria? What, or where is truth for an interfaith that purports to unite, but, excludes when it comes to making decisions that affect others? What kind of interfaith is that?
What is beclouding the shepherd’s sense of judgment? Has he forgotten the sacred caution – about wolves in sheep’s clothing? Is this earthly exaltation of ‘fame’ worth the betrayal of faith?
Has the silent shepherd not heard or seen the 2019 prejudiced boastings and warnings of the first lady about property grabbing that has come to fruition – and still ongoing?
The 2019 prejudiced boastings and warnings of the first lady about property grabbing
Ah! Silent shepherd, I urge you to take time to mull over this narrative. Without a shadow of doubt, you know that the violence and killings is not abstract. It is neither fiction nor fabrication. To many (maybe not you), it is personal, real, local, tragic, and it is targeted.
And, your duty to ACiN was not confined to your person or Sokoto communes, it was to recap what is happening in Nigeria as a whole. Before now, no one could question your brilliance, thoroughness or voice against injustice. Is this an irony, hypocrisy or straight up ignorance? Yet, his intervention at the Aid to The Church in Need (ACiN) in Rome on October 21 left room for questions still unanswered.
As I search for answers and to find the truth, it is my hope that, this voice – once fiery, once a sheep that dined only on the platter of ‘righteousness’ and spoke the truth no matter whose ox is gored, should not become a wolf plummeting into a buffet of morality. I pray he can get his righteous groove back!
In order to exhaust the questions, I will continue with the inquisition. Perhaps, a recap of the previous question, which asked if killings were taking place, and whether the government was capable and able to stop them. His responses could not validate any positive action from the government.
Writer: Since the answer to question (iv) above is positive and true, should the US government depict Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC)?
In my humble opinion, the facts speak for themselves. The US government created CPC as a watchdog to monitor violations of religious freedom around the world – where people are killed or prevented from practicing their religion. This is happening in Nigeria.
And, by his own admission, it has been ongoing for over 15 years, the government is clearly unable and I dare say, unwilling to secure the lives and freedoms of Christians particularly in the Northern part of Nigeria.
So, I ask again, why couldn’t the silent shepherd call the killings what it is? His silence and reluctance is worrying. In fact, his pleading that Nigeria should not be monitored against violations could be translated to mean that, he is aiding and saying, violations of religious freedom against Christians is okay and should continue. Why? What has happened to him? Where is the harmonious interfaith he claimed with the first family marriage? Do Christians not have a right to peaceful existence and worship in Nigeria?
The most worrying comments offered by the silent shepherd are found in two other paragraphs below, to wit:
Silent Shepherd: I live in Sokoto, right in the womb of Islam. If we were dealing with outright persecution of Christians on grounds of identity, both I and my small flock would not exist. For example, on September 8, 2011, the ceremony of my ordination and installation as the Bishop of Sokoto was marked by this exemplary show of collaboration between the Diocese, the state government and the Sultan who personally enthusiastically provided accommodation for my guests during the occasion. I received the gift of a new Prado Jeep from a Muslim friend of mine who said to me, Bishop, this is my gift to you for your pastoral work in your vast Diocese! We are therefore not dealing with cases of people who are going around wielding machetes and looking for me to kill because I am a Christian. I travel in my official regalia as Bishop in and out of Sokoto. We carry out our religious services with no molestations (Paragraphs 4 & 5).
Reading these words at this point, did it for me! It is clear that either he has been infected by the ‘trending’ national bug, or he is losing his vow of ‘righteousness’. God forbid this should happen to him! How could this once deeply intelligent person equate his person, his office to the average man or woman walking the streets of his community?
READ ALSO: Christian genocide: A denial that betrays the faithful
Does he want us to believe that his influence and the weight of his viewpoint is same as the average person on the streets of Sokoto?
It is not being diplomatically or politically correct. I may be wrong, but, the comment and analysis belong to the realm of utter mischief, or, comments made under a lapse of moral judgment.
For the records, it was in his community that a young girl Deborah Samuel was stoned and burnt alive –for what her attackers claimed to be a denigration of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed.
Was justice ever served for Deborah?
This person is aware of how many Churches that have been burnt over the last 10 years (and continuing), as well as how many Priests, pastors and Christians that have been killed, targeted within a community where their Moslem counterparts did not face same predicament. So, how can this not be called what it is?
To pretend and say that all is well because the Sultan housed his guests, and a Moslem friend gifted him a Prado Jeep car, is impishly outrageous. How many average Christians in his community have their guests housed by the Sultan?
As Reverend Fr. Cosmas Ajawara beautifully summed up, “Bishop Kukah refers warmly to his cordial relationships with Muslim leaders, recounting Sultan of Sokoto’s hospitality…These anecdotes show that interreligious friendship exists…such personal goodwill does not negate systemic injustice. The coexistence of private friendships and public persecution is not paradoxical; it is precisely how religious freedom violations persist —cloaked under elite civility while rural believers bear the brunt of violence and discrimination…The fact that Bishop Kukah “travels freely in his episcopal regalia” does not cancel the reality that hundreds of priests and thousands of parishioners in northern and middle-belt Nigeria live under constant threat.” https://www.facebook.com/groups/149067621781454/posts/26401667516094773/
On the comment, it is my belief that Fr. Cosmas’ analysis is spot-on, poignant and the most decent anyone could offer. Still, I ask, what is happening to this silent shepherd?
Another worrisome comment made by this person is, “Today, sadly, Nigeria is still bleeding. However, I see a window of opportunity that we could use to restore harmony among our people…The First Family is an example of what should give hope in Nigeria; with the President being a Muslim and his wife being a Pastor in a Pentecostal Church! The President and the Vice President are Muslims, yet Christians have not felt alienated. The Chief of General Staff of the Nigerian Army, the Director of State Security Services among others are Christians. The President just appointed a Christian as the leader of the ruling Party. He also has appointed a Christian as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. These are confidence building measures aimed at inspiring confidence in the citizens about having a sense of belonging” (Paragraph 7).
At this point, I am questioning, yet, seeking ‘restorative faith’.
- As highlighted earlier, the same government he refers to, began its tenure with a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in a country with over 108 million Christians. How can a Muslim-Muslim ticket be described as representative of interfaith?
- He claims that the fact that the first family is made up of a Muslim and a Pentecostal Church devotee is a sign that all is well. Really? Hasn’t this shepherd seen or witnessed the first lady’s biases? Can matrimony cleanse the conscience of bias, prejudice or hatred?
- Is interfaith, justice and unity seasonal or reserved only for some? Should interfaith not transcend ethnicity and religion for the unity of Nigeria to be real?
- Hasn’t he seen or read the plea of a Yoruba Apostle and activist Bolaji Akinyemi decrying the bigotry, hatred and state sponsored discrimination against an ethnic group that the first lady swore their properties in Lagos will be taking away?
- Isn’t the 2019 first lady’s boasts and threat against Igbos happening today in Lagos? Is the silent shepherd unaware of this?
- Hasn’t he seen or heard about the persistent and continued targeting and destruction of an ethnic group’s properties, and the violation of the group’s rights – fueled and encouraged by this first lady? Do leopards change their spots?
Indeed, whilst writing this piece, the government he is defending, released an advert for the launch on October 27, of its National Economic Strategy described as ‘Halal’ – how sensitive or representative can this be?
As to his allusion of Christian appointments, I have just one question. Can the appointments be truly described as balanced, where for example, an eight-person committee for the proposed ‘National Census’ comprises of Chairman: Atiku Bagudu (North-West), Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra (North-Central), Member: Alhaji Idris Malagi (North-Central). Member: Mr. Wale Edun (South-West). Member: Mr. Zacch Adedeji (South-West), Member: Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote (South-West), Member: Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola (South-West), Member: Mrs. Nathan-Marsh.
a) It would appear, Nigeria does not have a North Eastern, South Eastern or South southern parts, nor qualified representatives for an important initiative such as a ‘national census’.
b) In addition, even in the cases where Christians are appointed, does it make a difference when facts clearly show that those chosen are reduced to mere figureheads – ‘Yes People’ (Yes Men), whose only real contribution is to stand on ‘instructed mandate?’
Ah! Silent shepherd, again, I urge you to take time to mull over this narrative, and do your due diligence to ACiN, which is to outline the tragic and targeted killing of Christians and the violations of their religious freedoms beyond Sokoto.
From Plateau to Benue, from Plateau, Kaduna, to Borno, etc., the pattern is clear. The continuing carnage in Benue communities captured in videos – a short film (Zuri – which your Center can locate for you), or the most recent video showing an elderly Catholic Priest offering martyrdom (if required) given the government’s unwillingness to protect his faithful, is no fiction, it is not hidden, cannot be debated or denied.
The July massacre of Christian families in Benue, which Pope Leo XIV spoke out against, a speech that prompted a hitherto unconcerned president to perform what turned out to be a “show of shame” in the guise of visiting affected communities remains fresh in our minds. Indeed, it was that episode that prompted the write up ‘Pandemic of Idiocy.’
Did this person not see, hear or read about it? It seemed he did. Still, he, now, choses to glorify what was clearly a political stunt by the so-called president where he claimed (as if we ought to applaud) that the president visited the grieving community. What my revered frock conveniently forgot to mention was that, this particular community is under a person who once served on the Altar as a Priest of the Order of Melchizedek. And, the president ended the visit with a few photo ops with some patients in dilapidated hospitals.
The community remains under attack today.
To deny the carnage that compelled your frocked brother to close over 15 churches, is to make your brother a liar! No, Bishop Anagbe remains a faithful servant shepherding wounded Christians maimed, and killed by Islamicist terror gangs. I ask you again, is this exaltation of fame worth denying the faith? Oh! Thou silent shepherd, who has bewitched you?
As I draw down on this narrative, a choice offer to ponder: In his closing argument and plea against Nigeria being placed on the CPC list, he argued that doing so will threaten national unity and interfaith harmony. Well, let me ask him:
i) Has anything changed since he (silent shepherd) invoked the US government to place Nigeria on the CPC list in 2020/2021? In all honesty, I doubt he will say yes. In fact, if anything, the attacks and massacre is worse, the government still lacks the capacity and shows no willingness to address the killings. So, why the plea? Political correctness or diplomatic exigency? Is there something the rest of us don’t know?
ii) Can real ‘UNITY’ be built on denial of facts that Christians are being massacred for their belief? What sort of unity will that be? A unity built on lies, propaganda or political correctness?
As I close this long and excruciating narrative, I am hopeful that this voice – which, once fiery and spoke the truth, will not be silenced as to refuse probe and scrutiny. It is my prayer that, that voice, does not abandon his commitment to justice for all.
I still pray this is a dream, a nightmare of sorts, in which, I will wake up to see it was simply a nightmare! On my knees, I pray that this script does not end as the one in Abeokuta, or ‘gods’ MEN who have swapped their courage and voice for political and other convenience.
To the silent shepherd, I offer God’s words to you, “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil…I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love…thou art fallen, and repent…or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick…except thou repent (Revelation 2: 4-5).
I will say it again, Nigerian Christians are not asking for preferential treatment. They are simply asking that (like other faiths), they be allowed to simply live and practice their faith, worship their God, live life within their communities, their children go to school without fear of molestation, abduction, killing, raped or violated – just because they are Christians. Christians are asking that their human dignity be respected and protected.
As noted in Part 1 of this narrative, human dignity stems from our being part of humanity, irrespective of our faiths and beliefs. Thus, I ask the Bola Tinubu government to let all Nigerians (Christians included) to live peacefully.
Whilst praying for the ‘silent shepherd’ to regain his sheep’s clothing, what I know for sure is, what is happening in many parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region is Christian Genocide – pure and simple, and many of our lands feel like spiritual wastelands – deserted and desolate.
We serve a God, Almighty, Just, Merciful and Faithful to His promises to restore the wastelands. In His unfathomable mercy, I know that the prayers of Christians and those of other faiths who believe in ‘live and let live’, will avail much. Such that, God’s mercy will repair the damage from the devastation. And, “these lands presently desolate will become like the garden of Eden;…the ruined cities fortified and inhabited” (Ezekiel 36: 34-36) again with peaceful co-existence, so that, the silent shepherd may regain his ‘voice’ and speak truth to power!
