Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri donates relief materials to IDPs, preaches tolerance - doubts government ceasefire deal

By Blogger

The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Rev. Father Oliver Dashe Doeme, has Thursday visited various camps where Boko Haram displaced people were being camped in Maiduguri, Borno state where he distributed foods, clothens and beddings to the refugees.

Bishop Oliver Doeme (centre) presenting relief material to a female camp
official at the Women Day Secondary School, Maiduguri where
IDPs from Bama are being camped (photo by Blogger) 

The Bishop who lamented the plight of Borno Muslims and Christians under the terror of Boko Haram, took time to voice his doubts about the so-called ceasefire truce announced last week by the federal government.

Addressing the officials and inmates of the camps, and Doeme said no religion,  tribe or class of people in the states of Borno,  Yobe and Adamawa has been spared from the terror and killing of the insurgents.

According to him "our religion teaches us that at times like this we must show concern to our fellow brothers and sister in pain. We are all one children of God and we must continue to live as one for the interest of love and peace; it is by so doing that we will enjoy growth, politically, socially and economically".

The top Roman clergy said the items donated to the IDPs may not be much to take care of all in the camps, but a demonstration of love for one another.

He called on government of Nigeria to put it's acts together and ensure that the insurgency is brought to an end, so that displaced people can  return to their homes.

Bishop Doeme who also encouraged government to advance the pursuit of dialogue with the insurgents, however picked holes in the recent ceasefire deal announced by the federal government of Nigeria.

According to the Roman cleric "we woke up days back to hear about government announcing ceasefire; though we don't know why it is happening at this time, we still see it as a welcome development if truly it will help bring back the desired peace we all pray for.

"But we have our own doubts about the ceasefire. First of all,  we do not know the contents of what was the said ceasefire deal. We do not know who are really involved in the ceasefire agreement,  and we have not heard from the terrorists about what their role was in this ceasefire. If truly there is ceasefire,  then what is happening here on ground is at variance with what the ceasefire is meant to achieve.  Our people are being killed in villages, many are being maimed,  our women and girls are being kidnapped and yet we hear people talking about ceasefire. There are many areas being occupied by the terrorists which they have not been flushed out; yet we hear ceasefire. We really have our doubts. We want to see something practical happening ; let us see the terrorists coming out to lay down their arms; let us see them leave the areas they are occupying, so that people can go back to their respective communities. Once we see that happening then we believe the ceasefire is in force, otherwise,  it is still hanging ".

Officials at various IDP camps visited by Bishop Doeme commended his spirit of concern and called upon all well meaning individuals and groups to emulate his sense of kindness