The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked the country’s government and the Kaduna State Government to end the killings in the southern part of the state as well as other areas in the northern region.
Describing the recent upsurge of killings in the area, comprising mostly of Christians, the association, in a statement by its president, Reverend Samson Ayokunle, said the governments needed to urgently address the situation before the people would resort to self-help.
The statement signed by Ayokunle’s media aide, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said despite the 24-hour curfew imposed on Zangon Kataf and other local government areas, several villages in the other local government areas where there was no curfew experienced, attacks that led to killing of no fewer than 28 people in less than two weeks.
It said more frightening was the way dare devil terrorist herdsmen stormed Kukum Daji in Kaura Local Government Area and unleashed terror on the people at a wedding party that led to the killing of no fewer than 17 people while many others were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
See the statement below:
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA CALLS FOR GENUINE INTERVENTION IN THE CONTINUOUS MURDER IN SOUTHERN KADUNA AND OTHER STATES IN THE NORTH
The ongoing crisis in Southern Kaduna in recent weeks with the attendant destruction of lives and property has clearly shown Nigeria as a nation that is at war against enemies of the state.
Despite assurances from both the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to nip the crisis in the bud, the spiralling of these assaults have indisputably shown that these demons of murders are yet to sheathe their swords against Southern Kaduna communities and that the government appears not to be sincere in walking the talk.
There is no doubt that the victims of these incessant assaults are indigenes of Kaduna State who are mostly Christians. Why is it the predominant Christian Southern Kaduna all the time? Don’t we have Northern Kaduna? While the senseless murder is not desirable in any part of the state or Nigeria, the continuous assault of the Southern Kaduna people has become highly suspicious and alarming. Only a fool or somebody who is a party to this evil would not know that there is something fishing.
The leadership of CAN was flabbergasted when the presidency described the current bloodshed in Southern Kaduna as politically-motivated coupled with banditry deployed along ethnic and religious lines. Where is the statistical evidence for that? Who are the politicians involved in this inhuman and callous act that the Federal authorities have failed to apprehend or name? Do they have the right to be doing this scot-free if it is true?
While the present bloodbaths in the southern part of Kaduna state has been shown to be acts of criminality that should have attracted sanctions, the lacklustre disposition of the government in stopping further massacre of Christians and decimation of their communities by terrorist herdsmen speaks volumes on how government values human lives and genuine intervention. Should the gunmen and terrorists be more powerful than a legitimate government? Why couldn’t the Kaduna State Government with Federal authorities go into the bush where these herdsmen are and apprehend them? Why couldn’t they mop up the ammunition with which they are doing havoc?
We have discovered that whenever security personnel are deployed to a place, the herdsmen go to other villages to attack and kill people in their sleep or when they are about to sleep or when they are waking up. Should the criminals be more professional in tactics than the government trained security personnel?
It is regrettable that despite assurances from Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai to bring perpetrators of the Southern Kaduna crimes to justice, the state and security agencies involved in the maintenance of law and order are yet to fulfil their pledge.
Against the current backdrop of 24-hour curfew imposed on Zangon Kataf and other Local government areas, several villages in the other local government areas where there was no curfew experienced attacks that led to killing of no fewer than 28 people in less than two weeks. More frightening was the way dare devil terrorist herdsmen stormed Kukum Daji in Kaura Local Government Area and unleashed terror on the people at a wedding party that led to the killing of no fewer than 17 people. Many others were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Is there no more government in that state? What is the pride of the Governor whose citizens are being murdered? Is this a sign of effective governance? A Yoruba adage says, ‘it is better for you not to be the reigning monarch than for you to ascend the throne and lack authority to rule.’ If our leaders are not able to nip evil in the board, then, why are they there? Should they be there for jamboree? Why do we call them ‘His Excellency’ when they cannot guarantee our security?
We equally observe that the government must redeem its image by addressing the constant murders and ethnic war going on in Taraba State, the constant herdsmen’s attack on people of Benue State and the senseless banditry in the Northwest of this country. If the size of our security agents is too small to effectively secure the lives of the citizens of this country, why can’t the Federal Government engage more people? We have millions of young people who are jobless and are ready to defend their nation against internal and external aggression. The time is now for those God has committed leadership of this country to their hands to show more pragmatism and commitment. We have no other people to look up to for security than those of you in government. That was one of the reasons we put you there for all of us.
People should not be allowed to result to self-help, but if this situation is not addressed, self-help might be the alternative because nobody would keep on watching for these nuisance to continue to be on the prowl and snuff life out of him or her.
As the umbrella body for all Christians in Nigeria, we share in the pains of victims of terrorism being unleashed on Southern Kaduna and other communities in this nation. There is the urgent need by government and the security forces to walk their talk and combat the raging insecurity squarely across Kaduna state and other parts of the country. The government should not think that we are not appreciative of their efforts but we say without mincing words that your present best is unacceptable. It is not the best Nigerians expect. How can we be seeing and reading in the news about mass burials and be happy when we are not fighting a civil war? We deserve peace in Nigeria.
On our own part as a religious organization, we have never ceased and will never cease from praying for you our leaders to have the courage to put an end to these evils that are giving our beloved country negative image abroad.
His Eminence sincerely appreciates your support in publishing this Statement in your credible and popular media.
Thank You and God bless You richly and greatly in Jesus Name. Amen and Amen.
Signed.
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji
SA (Media & Communications) To CAN President, His Eminence Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle.
28 July, 2020.
