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Nigeria: Further Reports on Killing of Christians, Destruction of Churches

In Nigeria, Fr. Gideon Obasogie, Head of Social Communications of the Diocese of Maiduguri, has provided news media with further updates on the destruction of Diocese of Maiduguri, with the fall of Mubi, with an estimated 2,500 Catholic Christians killed, 100,00 Catholics displaced, and over 50 churches destroyed

This was reported on November 19, 2014 by Agenzia Fides as follows: “Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – According to a note sent to Agenzia Fides by Fr. Gideon Obasogie, Head of Social Communications of the Diocese of Maiduguri, with the fall of Mubi the estimated figure of destruction caused by Boko Haram in the diocese of Maiduguri (whose territory includes Borno, Yobe States and some areas of the Adamawa) is as follows:.
Over 2,500 Catholic Faithful have been killed; Over 100,000 Catholic faithful are displaced; Out of the (46) priests currently working in the diocese (26) are displaced (other priests were welcomed by His Exc. Mgr. Dami Manza, Bishop of Yola); Over (200) Catechists are displaced while over (20) Rev. Sisters are displaced; Abducted women and Girls: Over (200).
Over (50) churches and rectories have been razed down, a good number were destroyed more than once and out of the (40) parish centers \ chaplaincies (22) are presently deserted and occupied by the terrorists. Out of the (5) convents, (4) have been deserted.
A good number of our faithful have been converted to Islam against their will. Most schools in the Northeast can’t commence regular activities not only because of the terrorists, but also because such school premises now serve as refugee camps.
Communities captured and occupied by Boko Haram:”
“In Borno State: Gomboru Ngalla and Bama, Gwoza, Maffa and Abadam. Askira Uba, Dikwa, and Marte. Maiduguri is completely surrounded by the terrorists. The one exit out of Maiduguri city is only the Maiduguri-Damaturu raod.”
“In Adamawa state: Madagali, Michika, Mubi. Others include Gulak, Kaya, Shuwa, Bazza, Yaffa, Betso, Mishara, Vimtim, Muchalla, Kala’a, Maiha, and Mataka.
In Yobe State: Buni Yadi, Gujba, Gulani, Kukuwa, Bularafa, Buni Gari, Bara, Bumsa, Taltaba. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/11/2014)”

In addition, the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri reported on October 26, 2014, that the over 90,000 displaced persons in the troubled Northeast had been forced to feed on grass and insects to survive in their hideouts, according to a report by the Nigerian Daily Post.