All roads led to the Sesugh Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Ayati, Benue State, yesterday, when the remains of the two Catholic priests and other worshippers, who were killed by suspected herdsmen at St. Ignatuis Quarshi Parish Ayar-Mbalom, Gwer Local Government Area, in March were buried.
As early as 7:00am, thousands of Catholic faithful and sympathisers from across the country started arriving the venue of the burial and, by 9:00am, corpses of the slain worshippers in white caskets, with their names inscribed on each of them, were conveyed in a truck and two ambulances to their final resting place; amid wailings from families and friends for the Requiem Mass.
But, just as the requiem mass was going on, the heavens opened and a heavy but not so breezy rain poured down.
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, many Catholic bishops, traditional rulers, politicians, as well as dignitaries from all walks of life defied the early morning rain to attend the burial service.
Meanwhile, all markets, banks, schools, offices as well as other business areas were shut, especially in Makurdi, the state capital, in compliance with the work-free day earlier declared by the state government.
-Sun
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