SAHARANEWS – The December 25, 2019, killing of 11 Christians by a Boko Haram affiliate, Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has drawn more condemnations of the Federal Government from the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN and regional bodies in the country with Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF and Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, accusing the government of negligence.
They also described the action of the terror group as sad and barbaric.
They also carpeted the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, President-General of Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, who had few days earlier, said he was shocked by the claim of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, that Christians were being persecuted in the country.
Also, Christian Concern, ICC, has expressed displeasure at the unimpressive response of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Sultan of Sokoto to the issue of persecution of Christians in some parts of the country, saying rather than pursue genuine and positive steps towards curbing Islamic militancy in the country, Nigerian Muslim leaders have continued to be hypocritical and live in blatant denial of the truth.
This came as a coalition of Nigerians in Diaspora commended the US State Department and Government for its decision, after years of advocacy, to place Nigeria on the Watch list of Persecuting Countries, the last stop before full designation as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC.
We’re tired of FG’s condolence messages – CAN
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has blamed the Federal Government for the recent killing of 11 Christians by Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking in Abuja, CAN’s Vice Chairman (Northern region), Rev. John Hayab, said: “The beheading of 11 Christians by ISWAP goes to show that the Federal Government has been paying lip service to the issue of security.
“We want action from President Buhari, not mere words. We have been praying for our security agencies to win the war against insurgency but it appears nothing is working because the government has failed to live up to its responsibility of protecting lives and properties.
“Christians are tired of receiving sympathies and condolence messages from the government whenever Boko Haram groups kill non-Muslims. The last time was three Christians that were murdered. On Christmas, it was 11 persons. The next time may involve 30 people. This is what we have been lamenting.
“Does the government want them to kill all of us before it begins to take serious steps to secure the release of those held in captivity? It is not in our place to negotiate their release. Otherwise, we would have done so. It is the responsibility of the government. We blame the government for the killings.”