Nigeria: Bishops meet with President to discuss Fulani killings and Chibok girls

The President of Nigeria has met with a group of Nigerian bishops to discuss the recent killings by Fulani herdsmen and issues of security.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari met with Anglican bishops on Friday. Afolabi Sotunde

"We are here to offer our advice as church people from our own perspective to the president on the current national situation", Archbishop Nicholas Okoh told Anglican News following the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

"We told him many things. We are all looking for solution to issues of the herdsmen, issue of vandalism, security in one way or the other because the people are asking us and we want to have explanation for the people whom we lead."

There have been regular attacks by Fulani militia and herdsmen, who are mostly Muslim, on farmers in the central states of Nigeria, who are mostly Christian. The states are where the largely Christian south meets the mainly Muslim north.

According to the Igbo Youth Movement, Fulani herdsmen have murdered more than 700 Nigerians in the last 10 months, with the government taking little action to halt the killings.

The Archbishop said that after the meeting he is hopeful that over the next year the situation would improve across the country.

"We believe that so far it's been okay because of the difficulties of the times and between now and the next one year we are looking forward to something more direct now, something that will get to the people easily," he said.

"The next one we know will be better."

The fate of the more than two hundred kidnapped schoolgirls from Chibok, who are believed to remain hostages of militant group Boko Haram, was also discussed during the meeting.

Buhari reportedly assured the bishops that their safe return remained a priority for the government.

related articles
Nigeria: Dozens slaughtered and church burned down in latest Fulani massacre
Nigeria: Dozens slaughtered and church burned down in latest Fulani massacre

Nigeria: Dozens slaughtered and church burned down in latest Fulani massacre

Nigeria: Attack on church leader prompts bishops to urge government to curb Fulani violence

Nigeria: Attack on church leader prompts bishops to urge government to curb Fulani violence

The forgotten persecuted: 7 countries that abuse religious freedom

The forgotten persecuted: 7 countries that abuse religious freedom

Nigeria: How the Church can stop Boko Haram
Nigeria: How the Church can stop Boko Haram

Nigeria: How the Church can stop Boko Haram

Nigeria: Christian women and children flee deadly attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen
Nigeria: Christian women and children flee deadly attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen

Nigeria: Christian women and children flee deadly attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen

News
Catholic schools lead in workforce and student diversity - survey
Catholic schools lead in workforce and student diversity - survey

Catholic schools in England have emerged as the most ethnically diverse in the country, according to new figures released by the Catholic Education Service (CES).

Christian group slams BMA's 'highly irresponsible' call for adult-child sex reporting exemptions
Christian group slams BMA's 'highly irresponsible' call for adult-child sex reporting exemptions

The Christian Institute has hit out at the British Medical Association’s call to make doctors exempt from reporting ‘consensual’ adult-child sex.

Church leaders call for peace after days of violent unrest in Ballymena
Church leaders call for peace after days of violent unrest in Ballymena

Ballymena churchman says "righteous" anger about an alleged sexual assault on a local girl cannot be a cover for racism.

Was the spending review really 'promising'?
Was the spending review really 'promising'?

Church of England bishops have described the spending review as “promising”.