By Mike Adeyemi
Following the incessant killings of innocent citizens in the North East, the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara State chapter, yesterday, charged the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The group converged on the United Missionary Theological College (UMTHC), along Ajasse-Ipo road, Ilorin to address newsmen barely 24 hours after Christians in the state, were urged by the Chairman of Kwara State CAN, Prof. Timothy Opoola to protest the need for the FG to find a lasting solution to the illicit killings of Christians by Fulani herdsmen.
Christians, both men and women were noticed displaying placards with inscriptions such as; ‘Enough is enough’, ‘CAN rejects FG’s silence to curb killings’, ‘Christians say no to impunity’.
Speaking with National Pilot at the venue, Opoola berated the lukewarm attitude of the FG towards finding permanent solution to the gruesome massacre of innocent lives in Benue and Taraba states, describing it as impunity of the highest order.
He said, “In line with the directive of the National President of CAN that all Christians should come out to lend our voices to the unabated killings by the herdsmen and use the medium to tell the Federal Government to stand up to its constitutional responsibility by defending Nigerians.
“Kwara Christians are against the killings in the North East and we are here to call on government to checkmate it. The whole thing seemed as if there is no security in this country.
“If the government refused to stand for Nigerians, God will stand for us. God cannot forsake his people.”
Speaking further, he said, “This country belongs to all of us. If the FG refused to curb this problem, war is looming. As for us Christians, we will continue to pray to our God to heal our land. Our Bible says whatever you ask in prayer, shall be answered.”
In his response, the Trustee of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Engr. ‘Yinka Asonibare said, “The pace of violation of human rights in Nigeria is unbearable.
“By the grace of God, the recurring issue of incessant killings will change after this protest and prayer for our nation.”
In a related development, members of the First Baptist Church, Kosofe, Lagos, yesterday held a peaceful protest to voice their resentment against the killings across the country, especially in the Middle Belt region.
Hundreds of worshippers with various inscriptions on placards demanded an end to the killings which are allegedly being carried out by herdsmen. They also demanded the prompt release of Leah Sharibu, the kidnapped Dapchi girl still in the custody of Boko Haram.
The Senior Pastor of the church, Festus Olatunde, accused the Federal Government of not doing enough in arresting the ugly situation that has led to the loss of lives and property in major places like Benue.
He particularly frowned at the killing of worshippers in a Catholic Church last week.
He said: “The killings of worshippers inside the church is condemnable, and the only way the Federal Government can show their sincerity is to go after the perpetrators to arrest them and try and serve justice. Until the Federal Government does that, the Church of God will not keep quiet.”
“We condemn the activities of the herdsmen that are killing people, herdsmen have no reason to carry gun and the evil they are perpetrating in the Middle Belt is enough.”
Mr Olatunde also questioned why the Federal Government is yet to secure the release of Leah, months after her fellow Dapchi girls were released.
