By Williams Anuku, Abuja
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has criticized the Federal Government’s reaction to the recent killing of rice farmers in Borno State executed by the Boko Haram sect.
According to the Christian body, the government which should guarantee peace and security by tackling terrorism headlong is finding excuses to justify the failure of governance.
In a statement by Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Samson Ayokunle on Friday in Abuja, condemned in strong terms the killing of not fewer than 43 rice farmers in the State.
While calling on the security agencies to stop the unending mass killings by the criminals who now operate with impunity all over the country but more devastatingly in the Northeast and Northwest of the country, he said they should be ready to think outside the box in bringing solutions.
“We are shocked, disturbed, saddened to learn that criminals suspected to be terrorists (but for which a terrorist group had claimed responsibilities) invaded the Garin Kwashebe community and murdered the innocent farmers while harvesting their products.
“As usual, the number of the deceased gruesomely murdered remains disputed by the Federal Government. To us at CAN, 43 was not only frightening but inexcusable by those who should have prevented it. The massacre was wicked and completely satanic.
“A situation where farmers are being taxed by the terrorists and bandits before they are allowed to work on their farms is unprecedented and it must be stopped by the government before it is too late, “he stated.
CAN also wondered why there should be mass burials when we don’t have a full-scale war in the country, describing it as unprecedented and unacceptable.” We are pained to observe that killings and kidnapping of people are no longer news in the country and no one is immune from it.
“We are in a recession in the country, yet, criminals are still preventing farmers from going to the farm to harvest. We are not aware of any country where similar lawlessness is taking place without being adequately checked.
“CAN calls on the security agencies to wake up from their prolonged slumber and save their image. The government is urged to think out of the box and take adequate steps to bring the terrorists to their knees rather than finding excuses to justify the failure of governance.
“Why should we be watching for a nation well situated by God to become a land that is swallowing its inhabitants?.
The Christian body assured that it will not relent in praying for this nation and giving pieces of advice to the government, but noted that the government must be more decisive in taking far-reaching security steps.
