The Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, on Tuesday donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba state.
The Most Rev. Charles Hammawa, Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, presented the items to the IDPs, housed at St Paul’s Parish Church premises, Bali, in the state.
Hammawa said that the gesture is to ameliorate the plight of the people, who were obviously having tough times, due to the renewed violence that claimed many lives and rendered hundreds of people homeless.
The Bishop, who was represented by the Diocesan Coordinator of the Justice Development and Peace Commission/Caritas, (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Stephen Bakari, regretted that many people are suffering so much for no fault of theirs.
The clergyman urged the people to preoccupy their hearts with love, rather than hate for their assailants.
“These are clearly not the best of times for us, as a nation and especially as rural farmers here in Bali Local Government Area.
“Given the number of pains, losses and sufferings that most of you are going through, I know it may be difficult to console you.
“As a church, our major concern is to reduce your pains to the barest minimum and urge you to allow the love of Christ to reign in your hearts.
“Most of you are terribly wounded. You need to flush out hatred and anger from your hearts for your healing to be quick.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on the government to do the needful, by ending these senseless killings,“ Hamawa said.
The Bishop expressed worry over the negative effects of the crisis on food production in the state, and the nation at large.
According to him, this situation is already creating a very bleak future for all Nigerians. Food security is under serious threats.
In his remarks while receiving the items, the Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Agbaru, Parish priest of St Paul’s Parish in Bali, appreciated the team and extended his appreciation to the Bishop for the quick and sensitive intervention.
According to him, this is not the first time the Bishop is intervening in such situations.
“He has been doing this, time without number and we are grateful.
“May God bless and keep him to continue these good things.
“The government should do something. We are becoming disturbed because the situation is becoming intriguing, and we do not even know where and when the situation will rear its ugly head.
“We live in unpredictable times, and we pray that God will also intervene in the matter, “Agbaru said.
One of the IDPs, Mrs Rosaline Akimbo, a mother of seven who narrated the sad incident that brought them to the Parish house, expressed joy over the gesture of the Catholic Diocese.
Akimbo stated that it was a timely intervention, and they are most grateful for it.
Mr Joseph Diche, the leader of the IDPs who was a recipient of some relief materials, spoke on behalf of the IDPs, saying the gesture is a gracious one.
“We really appreciate the kindness of the bishop, how he always helps us in times like this. We also appreciate the JDPC for their efforts and support.
“It is our prayer that the Almighty God will reward you all abundantly and bless your efforts.
“We also want to specially appreciate the Parish Priest, the Very Rev Fr Augustine, for being there for us at all times,” he said.
NAN recalls that over 10,000 persons were recently displaced from communities across Bali and Gassol Local Government Areas, where armed herdsmen attacked and killed over 100 persons, forcing others to run for their lives.