…Passes Vote Of No Confidence On CAN Chairman In Borno.
From Dauda R Pam Maiduguri
No fewer than 50 inter-denominational Pastors and youth groups, Friday, converged at the demolished site of the Church of Brethren, Ekklisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), Maduganari in Maiduguri Borno state capital.
With a call on Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, to immediately reconstruct the destroyed Church building, its pure water factory and security post among other facilities destroyed by officials of Borno Geographic Information System (BOGIS).
The dastardly act which has since attracted outright condemnation by section of the society over the demolition of the church and subsequent firing of gun shots by a member of Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, as well as some persons who hurled stones at the task force during an encounter, Thursday, with officials of BOGIS, led by its Executive Secretary, Enginneer Adam Bukar Bababe resulting to the death of one person and several others in hospital.
In a swift reaction, the Borno State Governor, BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM in a state wide broadcast, appealed for calm, and ordered for immediate investigation into the matter, so as to punish anyone found wanting.
And has equally delegated his Deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur we who visited the victims at the hospital and ordered for settlement of their medical bills.
Addressing a press conference at the demolished site of the EYN Church on Friday,the Pastor in charge, Reverend Shawulu Auta Ndahi, condemned the killing of one of his church member while attempting to protect the Church from demolition.
He said, there is nothing worth on earth that can compensate life and placed a request to the State Government to immediately assist the families of the deceased and those who sustained gunshot wounds currently recieving treatment at a State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.
Hear him,”We have gathered here today to express our displeasure over what has happened to our Church and its members.
“Yesterday (Thursday) morning at about 11am, we recieved a distress call that some officials of BOGIS in company of some CJTF and graders came and demolished our Church with all facilities destroyed.
“In the process, some of our aggrieved members started hurling stones at the officials of BOGIS, before Some CJTF members opened fire after seizing their communication gadjets, which led to the killing of Mr. Ezekiel Bitrus, May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
“In view of these unwholesome conduct, we are hereby displaying all our Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant Documents used in acquiring this land which are legal documents.
” Therefore, as a Church which believe in peace and unity, we have some immediate demands for Governor Zulum to; Immediatelly reconstruct our demolished Church and other facilities including our pure water factory.
“Although, there is nothing worth on earth that can compensate life, we request the State Government to immediately assist the families of the deceased and those who sustained gunshot wounds currently recieving treatment at a State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.
” We called on the state government to immediately remove Engineer Adam Bukar Bababe from heading BOGIS which is an agency of government tasked with responsibility of land maintenance.
“The Church which has 99% of its membership are citizens of Borno, also want the State Government to lift the ban on the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge(CRK) in all our Primary and Secondary schools as it has been the practice in the past, as the constitution allows for freedom of worship in the country.” The Pastor in charge stated.
Similarly, the Youth CAN Chairman Metro, Mr. Sunday Ishaku,in his remarks condemned in strong terms the unfortunate incident on behalf of Christian Youth Groups and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and quick recovery of those who sustained injuries during the fracas.
The CAN youth chairman used the occasion to pass a vote of no confidence on the state CAN Chairman, Bishop Mohammed Naga, whom he alleged led some officials and individuals to meet with Governor Zulum some hours after the incident at the Government House just for their selfish interest.
“We are disappointed with the CAN leadership under the Chairmanship of Bishop Mohammed Naga, becuase as I address you today, Bishop Naga has failed to officially come out with a statement regarding this unwholesome treatment meted to us by BOGIS and men of CJTF”.
