Most Rev. Michael Gokum, the Catholic Bishop of Pankshin in Plateau, has called on the Federal Government to urgently provide support to the victims of crises in the state.
Gokum made the call on Sunday at the launch of the 2024 Lenten Campaign held at Christ the King Catholic Church, Dyis, in Pankshin Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen recently attacked communities in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi LGA, leaving many people dead and scores displaced.
The bishop, who decried the rising humanitarian crisis following the attacks in many other communities in the state, called on the government to provide succour to them.
”As we are all aware, communities in Plateau have come under a series of attacks in the recent past, and these attacks have brought about an increasing humanitarian crisis in the state.
”Many communities are displaced, meaning that all the residents of these communities are taking refuge elsewhere.
”I’m using this medium to call on the federal government to urgently come to the aid of these people; they are not finding it easy.
”From my interactions with many of them, I realise that they are eager to return to their homes, so the government should expect action to enable them to return to their original abodes, he said.
He also called on the government to adopt more stringent modalities toward the safety of lives and property in the state and across the nation.
On the lenten campaign launch, the bishop said that the event was an annual one, aimed at raising funds to support the poor and victims of attacks in all parts of Plateau.
”Whatever amount of money we raise here today will go to the poor and vulnerable, especially those who are displaced.
”Both Christians, Muslims, Pegans, and non-Catholics who are in need will benefit from this gesture, he said.
NAN reports that the theme for the 2024 Lenten campaign is ”Economic Empowerment and Capacity Strengthening for Self-Reliance and Community Resilience in Nigeria.”. (NAN)
