Echoes from the Sacred Forest

The Politics of Loss: Nigeria’s Sectarian Violence and the Crisis of Credible Death Count

On October 3, 2025, Boko Haram fighters overran the Nigerian border town of Kirawa. They set fire to homes, a military barracks, and the palace of the district head. Over 5,000 residents fled into neighbouring Cameroon, some in trucks and others on foot. The local chief, Abdulrahman Abubakar, told Reuters, “I was left with no option but to flee to…

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Nigeria at 65: Africa’s Mirror and the Lamp of the Church

Nigeria’s Independence Day has come and gone, and once again, we are back to business as usual. Around a confused president, politicians and their allies gathered to sing praises and pretend that the nation is thriving, when in truth, we are only shadows of our early glories. On the same day, many Nigerians gathered in their churches and mosques to…

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Nigerian Churches Under Siege

On September 19, 2025, Fr. Matthew Eya, a young priest of the Diocese of Nsukka in Enugu State, was ambushed while returning from a pastoral assignment. Gunmen on motorcycles forced his car to stop by shooting its tyres and then shot him at close range. The Enugu State police later announced arrests and promised investigations. However, the grim reality is…

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