The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday reacted to the killing of two ministers of the gospel in Abuja and Kaduna last week, describing the country’s present security situation as reprehensible and unacceptable.
The CAN leadership expressed its condolences to the leadership of the two affected denominations which the deceased clerics belonged; the Roman Catholic Church and the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, also condemned the killings.
Ayokunle said that the late Rev. Fr. Michael Akawu, was reportedly shot dead by identified gunmen in Gwagwalada, Abuja, while shopping on Aug. 18, while Rev. Hosea Akuchi was killed by hoodlums suspected to be Fulani terrorists.
[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”none” author=””] “Nigeria’s security situation is reprehensible, unacceptable and condemnable. We once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari to work on the security system of the country.[/penci_blockquote]
“The late Rev. Fr. Michael Akawu, was reportedly shot dead by identified gunmen in Gwagwalada, Abuja, while shopping on Aug. 18. Few hours later, on Sunday, August 19, at about 1.00 a.m, according to informed sources, some hoodlums suspected to be Fulani terrorists attacked Nasara Baptist Church in Guguwa near Rigasa in Kaduna.
“The suspected terrorists shot dead Rev. Hosea Akuchi and took away his wife, Mrs Talatu Akuchi.
“Her whereabouts remain unknown and the criminals have demanded for the sum of five million naira for her release,” he said.
Ayokunle recalled that Akawu, was ordained as priest on Feb. 4, 2017 by the Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Revd. John Cardinal Onayeikan and was the first FCT indigenous Catholic priest to be ordained.
He expressed his dismay at the state of insecurity across the country, adding that the Federal Government should work hard to improve security in the country.
While pointing out that nowhere is safe and secured, as terrorists, rampaging Fulani herdsmen, killer bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and other hoodlums were operating unchecked, he said the security agencies appear to be busy with elections, forgotting that leaders were elected to rule over the living souls.
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The CAN President tasked the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to do whatever it takes to bring the culprits to book and rescue the widow of the late Rev. Akuchi as soon as practicable.
“We once again call on our security agencies to be more proactive and invest more on intelligence gathering with a view to preventing many of these crimes that are being committed before their watches undetected.
“Nigeria’s security situation is reprehensible, unacceptable and condemnable. We once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari to work on the security system of the country.
“Let there be a visible improvement in our security system, as the governed are not satisfied with their performances in ensuring security of lives and property.
“Enough of the senseless killings, these killings must stop in the country,’’ the cleric cautioned.