Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maiduguri (Fides) – The situation of displaced persons welcomed in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, in northern Nigeria is dramatic. This has also posed a great risk as boko haram militia now disguise as displaced persons to enter into Maiduguri. This is what is said in the note sent to Agenzia Fides by Fr. Gideon Obasogie, Director of Communications of the Diocese of Maiduguri, whose territory includes Borno, Yobe States and some Adamawa regions.
"The situation of things within the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri has had little or no improvement, because Adamawa regions that have been attacked in the previous raids of the boko haram are still held hostage by the insurgents", refers Fr. Obasogie. The new attacks have increased the number of refugees in Maiduguri and camps are now saturated.
The Bishop of Maiduguri, His Exc. Mgr. Oliver Dashe Doeme, is doing his best to provide assistance to 5,000 displaced persons gathered in three different parishes within the metropolis: St. Augustine’s Parish, New G.R.A; St. Hilary’s Parish, Polo and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The Bishop exhorted and encouraged the people to remain steadfast in their faith and never give in to despair. "They can insult us, they can harm us and destroy our property, they can take our businesses and even take our lives, but they can never take away our faith". The Bishop invoked the protection of the Virgin Mary and listened to the ordeals, some of the refugees narrated with agony the hardships they face. Some of them said they narrowly escaped death and spent days on the mountains without food or even clean water. So many of them have reported some of their family members still missing; perhaps killed during the attacks. The materials distributed in great numbers include: bags of Rice, Beans, Maize, gallons of vegetable oil and palm oil, and cartons of Maggi, salt, blankets and mosquito nets. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/12/2014)
