SW News: A Nigerian prelate has hailed the petition of pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need seeking action against what he calls a genocide that is taking place in the country. Bishop Jude Arogundade expressed support for the campaign during an interview with ACN UK a week ago. The campaign calls on the British government to put pressure on Nigeria to enhance efforts to stem the rising violence, which has claimed 7,600 lives in six months.

“I say a genocide is now taking place – there is a concerted effort to drive Christians out of their lands by various means, including kidnapping and killing of lay people and priests, stealing land belonging to Christians and attacking churches during services,” the prelate told the charity.

Bishop Jude said that thanks to the petition of ACN, the world has now become more aware of what is taking place in the West African nation. He added that greater awareness about the situation in Nigeria will make the authorities awake from their stupor and take action.

“The petition will also send a clear signal to those planning more attacks that the world is now watching and those responsible cannot get away with it in the future,” said the prelate. The bishop also slammed the apathy of the authorities in bringing the perpetrators of the Pentecost Sunday attacks to justice. It was in his Ondo diocese that gunmen sprayed bullets on believers during Pentecost Sunday Mass at St Francis Xavier Church in Owo.

The bishop deplored that even though five months have passed since the attack took place, till date no one has been indicted.

“We do not know what the authorities are doing with them. Those who attack Christian churches and kill people must be brought to justice.”

Bishop Jude also told ACN about how Christians are oppressed in the north and their activities are restricted. He said the authorities are making it difficult to have chapels on university campuses. It was in 2010 that Bishop Jude was appointed as the shepherd of Ondo by the Holy Father.