By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN has condemned in strong terms attacks on rural Communities of Bassa and Bokkos local government Council of Plateau state .
Vice Chairman of the association Rev Stephen Panya Baba made this known at the distribution of relief materials to victims of the attacks .
He said ” We are here on behalf of the President and the entire leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to stand in solidarity with the people and government of Plateau State especially the communities and families of those affected directly in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of the state.
To say the least, these recent attacks indicate the highest level of inhumanity to humans expressed by the terrorists. We convey our deepest condolences to each and everyone that is affected in one way or the other.
We reassure you of our deepest concern and solidarity knowing that you are not alone in these challenges but God almighty is with you and the entire body of Christ.
We wish to commend the steps taken so far by Mr President and the Governor of Plateau State to nip these challenges in the bud. We appeal to Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redouble the effort towards achieving a more durable solution.
We frown at the situation where harmless innocent children and women in the dead of the night by faceless terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons will be defined as a communal misunderstanding or crisis. Emphatically, let the whole world know that communal misunderstanding or crisis is not the case on the Plateau. Lets call a spade a spade, what is happening is premeditated vicious acts of genocide against the Christian indigenous populace, by very heartless, wicked and evil terrorists for very nefarious purposes. Nevertheless, we pray that God would touch their hearts to repent of their very wicked and evil acts, for nothing is impossible with God. But the Bible warns also that; “because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.” (Ecclesiastes 8:13)
We are saddened that lives of Nigerian citizens in parts of the country have been reduced to nothing. The criminal elements seems to be freer in achieving their demonic aim in our communities today while innocent citizens are left to lick their wounds with repeated attacks and loss of lives and properties. As a nation, we have entered into a situation whereby citizens are butchered in their numbers on a daily basis without concrete measures to stop the killings. Our communities are under constant siege and unless and until the government takes deliberate and decisive measures to end these massacres, the future will remain bleak.
Let the security agencies be encouraged to be more proactive and go after these criminals and ensure they are apprehended and made to pay for their crimes. Ecclesiastes 8:11 says; “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.”
We urge Christians all over the nation and indeed all peace loving Nigerians to stand in prayers with Plateau State and all states under siege by criminals elements under any guise.
The relief materials we are presenting to you today which is made up of building materials, food stuffs and toiletries is not enough to handle the enormous needs and challenges of your communities but it is an expression of our deepest concern, genuine love and care for you.
May God bless and restore peace in Plateau State and Nigeria at large in Jesus mighty name. Amen.