Fleeing Boko Haram

A delegation representing Catholic organizations in Nigeria offered words of comfort and pledged help for Nigerian refugees who fled to neighboring Cameroon because of a violent insurgency. Led by Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Umuahia, chairman of Caritas Nigeria, the delegation visited Minawao Camp in Maroua, Cameroon, in mid-March to meet with some of the estimated 36,000 Nigerians who have sought safety in recent weeks. “We are here to facilitate your going back to Nigeria. We will ensure that your plight here will get an immediate attention of the federal government of Nigeria who, too, are aware of our visit,” Bishop Ugorji told the refugees. The refugees were forced to flee violence by Boko Haram, a Muslim militant group based in northeast Nigeria, in recent months. Bishop Ugorji thanked officials of the Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo and the Cameroonian bishops’ conference for welcoming and assisting the refugees. “Their action demonstrates the ecclesial unity of the church in responding to human needs irrespective of tribe, nation or even religion,” he said.