The mortal remains of Rev Fr
David Tanko who was burnt to
death last week by suspected mi-
litia was on Tuesday laid to rest in the
diocese.
Thousands of Catholic faithful within
and outside the diocese of Jalingo paid
their last respect for the priest who was
killed while on his way to attend a peace
meeting in respect of the Tiv/Jukun cri-
ses that has lingered on for a while.
The priest is one of the hundreds of
victims that have paid the supreme
price in the ethnic conflict that seemed
to have defiled all known solution.
The atmosphere at the funeral was
very tense as many openly wailed and
condemned in strongest terms the kill-
ing of the priest who they described
as quiet, peace loving and highly de-
voted. They wondered why the killers
chose to waste the life of a priest of
God who was out to make peace and
unite the warring factions.
On his part, the Bishop of Jalingo
Most Rev Dr Charles Hammawa said
the killing of the catholic priest was
most unfortunate, particularly as he
was out to find amicable settlement to
the dispute and bring lasting solution
to the crisis.
While calling on the police author-
ity to intensify effort to identify and
bring the perpetrators to book, he also
warned against a reprisal attack, say-
ing such would only further aggravate
an already tensed situation.
“We have been preaching peace and
making efforts to bring the parties that
were enmeshed in crisis in the area
together for a roundtable discussion,”
he said. “For a priest who has been
preaching peace to be killed in this
most gruesome manner is pathetic,
to say the least; a priest belongs to all.
We pray that the perpetrators will be
brought to justice.”
