By Tunde Johnson
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed disappointment and shocked at the spate of killings that was unleashed on three local government areas in Plateau State by alleged Fulani herdsmen.
The association in a statement signed by Adebayo Oladeji, Special Sssistant, Media and Communication to the CAN President on Monday called on the present administration to be more committed to safety of lives and property of Nigerians.
CAN described the coordinated and premeditated attacks in Plateau state as not only horrendous but also unprecedented.
The statement averred that from all indications, these attacks in Plateau state clearly show that the federal government needs to review its security machinery in a bid to make it more effective.
“We noted that the affected communities are yet to come out with the exact figure of the death toll, we are alarmed that no fewer than 86 lives, as confirmed by the police, have been lost, including defenceless women and children.” CAN said
The statement reads in part: “CAN is at a loss how scores of people can be killed without any form of resistance by soldiers deployed to contain the security challenge. How could dare devil criminals assault communities without resistance by security agencies to stop these killings.
“Of what relevance is the intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, if communities can be attacked and hundreds slaughtered without security organisations providing rescue efforts, then, it becomes obvious that the Nigeria’s security system has been compromised.
“From all indications, these attacks on the Plateau clearly show that the federal government needs to review its security machinery in a bid to make it effective.
“Considering the level of human carnage of these attacks, we once again call on government not to rest on its oars until these criminals are brought to book as promised.”
The statement said CAN and relations of victims of these attacks need more than assurances and promises of tracking down these criminals by the presidency.
It said much as these assurances are needed; they have become irrelevant in the face of incessant attacks that have claimed the lives of thousands of Christians.
“Against the backdrop of the wave of attacks on innocent citizens. We once again call on the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations and the African Union, among others, to assist the Nigerian government to protect us against these criminals.”
Meanwhile, the association noted that following media reports of a secret ongoing recruitment of former members of Boko Haram into some military and paramilitary formations by the federal government, CAN is concerned over the security implications of such recruitment that pose security to our nation if the report turns out to be true.
In authenticating the veracity of the report, CAN had called the attention of the federal government to the disturbing media report and sought responses from Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police, with other relevant security organisations, to either deny or confirm the report.