The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa State has declared a three-day fasting and prayer session from Monday, January 27, to Wednesday, January 29 over what it termed rampant killing of Christians in the state.
Making the declaration in Yola, the Adamawa State CAN Chairman, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza said it was the only option left to the Christian community in view of the ‘glaring failure’ of the Federal Government to protect lives of Christians in the state and other parts of the country.
Three Christians, including two prominent Christian leaders as well as a journalist, were killed around the state within the last one week.
The three were a pastor and politician, Rev Denis Magauri, killed by unknown persons at his residence in Mayo Belwa; a broadcaster with Radio Nigeria’s Fombina FM, Mr Maxwell Nashion, killed also by strange elements; and the Michika LGA Chairman of CAN, Lawan Andimi killed by Boko Haram insurgents.
Boko Haram had beheaded Andimi, last Tuesday, after they rejected a N50million ransom offer because it fell far too low than their demand.
He was attacked on January 2 during an attack on the town.
The insurgents had earlier abducted him about three weeks ago when they invaded the northern Adamawa town of Michika.
Mamza noted that in the last few years, numerous Nigerian Christians have been massacred in cold blood without the government taking the necessary measures to stop the trend, let alone bring perpetrators to justice.
The chairman enjoined all Christians in the 21 local government areas of Adamawa State to participate fully in the three-day prayer and fasting session effective from Monday.
Reacting, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) decried the murder of Rev. Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram, urging the Federal Government to redeploy security chiefs to revitalise the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes.
In a statement, the PFN National President, Felix Omobude, who condemned the killing of Andimi, urged the Federal Government to take the issue of security of lives and property of the citizens more seriously.
Omobude urged the government not to be carried away with the assumption that the battle had been won but should come up with a strategy, which might include redeployment of security chiefs.
He said, “Redeployment of security chiefs will bring in fresh ideas and revitalise the operation and find ways to tackle the acts of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes being perpetrated across different parts of the country.
“We are shocked that the activities of Boko Haram have, of late, been on the increase, in spite of the claims by the Federal Government that the group has been technically defeated.
“We are worried that the gains that have been reported appeared to have been rolled back, with increasingly disturbing reports of the worsening level of insecurity being constantly received from the North-East about the activities of Boko Haram.
“We enjoin all Christians to continue to pray for the bereaved family and hold up Nigeria in prayer so that this orgy of violence and bloodletting can come to an end and the will of God for the country might come to pass.
“While we salute the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of the counter-insurgency operation, for their gallantry and sense of duty.
“We call on the Federal Government to provide for them all equipment they need to be able to win this war.”
However, the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has awarded scholarship for children of CAN chairman in Michika Local Government Area, Rev. Lawan Andimi, murdered by Boko Haram.
Making what is viewed as a significant move, yesterday, during a condolence visit to the family of late Lawan Andimi in Michika, Fintiri pledged support to the bereaved.