“Accidents are part of life. Once we saw what seemed to be a tree that had been swept into the river by a storm. When we got closer it opened its eyes. It was an enormous alligator. My heart almost leapt out of my mouth."

"Our country is bigger than France and it is difficult for a weak administration to control. There is not really a frontline. The militias hostile to the government are spread out through the country, and difficult to pin down. The political motives of these rebels are unclear."

Hundreds of people fled for their lives after an Islamist mob running into thousands went on the rampage, attacking Christian homes and places of worship, including the local St Joseph’s Catholic Church.

“The Fulanis came into an IDP camp to kill these innocent souls. Over 35 deaths and countless injured. The nearby IDP camps are all now in disarray,” said Father Remigius, in his message to ACN. 

“Over the past year, some of our churches, funeral processions, and places of public gathering have become targets of attack; some of our holy sites and cemeteries have been desecrated; and some of our ancient liturgies, such as the Palm Sunday Procession and the Holy Fire Ceremony, have been closed off to thousands of worshipers."

His car broke down on a country road and a suspicious looking man on a motorcycle passed him and then circled round for closer inspection, forcing him to flee into the bush.