The Nigerian Baptist Convention has urgently called upon President Bola Tinubu to put an immediate end to the reprehensible killings of Christians in the Northern region of the country.
Expressing deep sorrow, the convention also lamented the ongoing violence against Christians in Plateau State and various other parts of the nation.
The church strongly criticized the persistently high level of insecurity that has persisted in the country for several years, noting a lack of meaningful solutions from the security agencies. In response to the recent attack in Plateau, the church urged all Christians to rise to the occasion and provide assistance to those who have lost their loved ones and those who sustained injuries and are currently hospitalized.
Emphasizing the need for security agencies to ensure the safety of every Nigerian, the church vehemently called for an immediate halt to the senseless killings of Christians. The statement from the convention highlighted the alarming situation and underscored the urgency for decisive actions to address the security challenges facing the nation.
The Punch reported on Monday that Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, disclosed that unidentified gunmen had killed at least 50 people in various communities in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state. Expressing dismay over the attacks and the widespread destruction of property, Governor Mutfwang pledged to implement stringent measures to address the escalating insecurity in the state.
“About 50 people were killed by the militia in NTV, Dares, Yelwa, and Chirang, where a Baptist church was burnt and nine members including the pastor of the church, Solomon Gushe were killed. 40 people in Chirang village were also reported to have been killed by the rampaging militias.
“The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev Israel Akanji, who was saddened by the killings called on security agencies to bring the culprits to book.”
The spokesperson further said, “Rev. Akanji requested President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency provide necessary security to all Nigerians and bring an end to the wanton killings of Christians in the Northern part of the country..
“The convention is saddened by the continued killing of Christians like chickens in Plateau State and other parts of the country, and the high level of insecurity in the country for the past years without any meaningful solution from the security agencies.
“We call on all Christians to wake up and provide assistance to those who lost their relations and those who were wounded in the attack and are currently in the hospital,” he said.
In fervent prayer for the peace and security of the nation, especially for those vulnerable to the attacks of militias and other assailants, the church underscores the imperative for security agencies to promptly furnish essential protection to every Nigerian. The church, in its plea, implores the security apparatus to decisively intervene and bring an immediate halt to the senseless and tragic killings of Christians. This call for divine intervention and practical measures reflects the earnest desire for a secure and harmonious environment for all citizens, emphasizing the responsibility of security agencies to safeguard the well-being of the populace.