{
  "id": 1325727,
  "title": "Prayers Will Crush Boko Haram – Catholic Bishop",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/prayers-will-crush-boko-haram-catholic-bishop",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T16:50:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/prayers-will-crush-boko-haram-catholic-bishop/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Catholic Bishop Oliver Dashe of the Maiduguri Diocese has called upon Christians to intensify their prayers in order to combat the threat posed by Boko Haram insurgents. Speaking during a church session at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Maiduguri, the bishop emphasized that spiritual intervention, coupled with decisive actions from security forces and government bodies, would be essential to permanently vanquish the insurgents.\n\nDashe highlighted the relative peace experienced in certain areas of Borno state following years of insurgency, urging Christians not to let complacency set in. He stressed that while prayer was crucial, citizens and authorities must also carry out their responsibilities. \"From the religious angle, we know that prayers will crush Boko Haram,\" he stated, adding that \"human beings must also do their work\" alongside this spiritual effort.\n\nThe bishop encouraged Christians to remain vigilant and strengthen their commitment to prayer as part of their collective response to the security challenges affecting the country. He noted that the Mass and other events commemorating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary offered Catholics an opportunity to seek divine intervention not only for Borno but for the entire nation. \"Today, we have come to pray, thank our Mother Mary, and ask for her intercession,\" he said.\n\nReflecting on the significant impact of the insurgency over the past 17 years, the bishop revealed that the Virgin Mary's intercession had brought relative peace to the region. He recalled the devastating consequences of the crisis, noting that the return of displaced residents to their homes was also attributed to Mary's intervention. However, he reiterated that prayers alone were insufficient to combat terrorism and urged the federal and Borno State governments to provide adequate support to security personnel operating in insurgent hideouts, particularly in forested and mountainous areas.\n\nFor lasting peace, Dashe stressed that authorities must directly confront the remnants of the insurgency. He appealed to the government at both federal and state levels to ensure security personnel have the necessary resources to operate in these challenging environments.\n\nThe bishop also highlighted the religious significance of the Assumption feast, emphasizing the Virgin Mary's continuous role in the spiritual life of the Maiduguri Diocese. Through various Marian devotions, such as the recitation of the rosary, wearing of miraculous medals, and pilgrimages, the diocese has aimed to deepen the faith of its members. Dashe personally attributed his tenure as bishop to Mary's intercession and called upon the faithful to continue reconsecrating themselves, families, and individuals to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as part of their spiritual response to ongoing challenges.\n\nThe insurgency, which has endured for more than a decade and turned Borno into its epicenter, has caused immense damage to communities, including the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Despite military operations weakening the insurgents' capacity to hold territory, sporadic attacks and other security threats still persist, particularly in remote areas. The state government has supported security efforts and the return of displaced residents, while also working with security agencies to rehabilitate and reintegrate former insurgents.",
  "summary": "The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. Oliver Dashe, has urged Christians to intensify prayers against insecurity. He said spiritual intervention, combined with decisive action by security agencies and government, would be crucial to permanently defeating Boko Haram insurgents. He spoke in Maiduguri after a church session held at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The event […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}