The Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN), in Adamawa State, has accused the Adamawa state government of
tactically supporting Fulani herdsmen.
CAN decried the attitude of
Governor Jubirila Bindow and condemned alleged comments by Secretary to the
State Government, Umar Bindir, that Fulani herdsmen don’t carry firearms.
Chairman of the association,
Bishop Dami Mamza in a statement on Wednesday, in Yola, said the government was
insensitive to the ongoing killings.
“We wish to call on the state
government in particular to caution it’s officials on unguarded utterances
during and after conflicts, as it has come to CAN’s notice that the secretary
to the Adamawa state government has propounded a new firearms narrative which
seeks to justify the use of firearms by Fulani in the country”, he said.
“This is dangerous and
reprehensible as the law of the country does not allow any civilian the
possession of illegal firearms whether Herdsmen or farmers.
“CAN condemns the silence of the
state governor who has failed to rebuke or dissociate himself from the SSG’s
position.
“CAN wishes to state in
unequivocal terms that violent elements are easily embolden and fuelled to
terror killings by such reckless and unguarded utterances.
“We are saddened by the death of
over 50 people killed in the repeated attacks carried out by herdsmen in Koh
Village of Girei.
“This has happened after Lawaru,
Dong, Kodomti, Shafaron, Plum, Kikan, Bilachi, Bang and Nzoruwe villages of
Fufore, Numan and Demsa fell to the exploit of the same herdsmen and their
expatriate mercenaries killing close to 150 people, injuring several hundreds
and destroying properties worth millions of naira before the start of Christmas
festivities.
“It on record that less than one
week ago, no fewer than twenty innocent Christian farmers were killed in
separate attacks in and around Tambo.
“Luru village in particular saw
its worst days when Herdsmen wielding sophisticated firearms stormed the area
Killing fifteen people.
“Within the period under review,
not less than 10 churches were burnt down and in some instances worshippers
killed.
“On the basis of these, we stand
to believe that the ongoing carnage is an attempt to discourage Christianity
and to silence Christians from free religious practice.
“We make bold to reject this
attempt and ask the government to stop the unfortunate development.
“Extremism seem to taken
persecution to a new dimension with armed herdsmen burning down churches
especially the recent attacks two days ago in Sagal community in Maiha where
four of our Churches were burnt to ashes and properties destroyed.”
CAN further lamented, “the
inaction of security operatives” to prevent the killings in, noting that in all
the attacks, there have been sufficient alarms raised long before the actual
carnages were done.
“With the incessant and spreading
attacks, we feel the land is under siege and therefore calls for serious
concerns from all well-meaning individuals and organisations to support any
course that will restore lasting peace in the land as against sponsoring and
equipping of the said herdsmen by their sponsors.
The christian body called on the
state government to, “Work around the current Committee set-up on those matter
that their work is objectively done and timely and ensure that previous reports
on farmers/herdsmen conflicts are implemented and that Nigerian’s land borders
are protected at all costs to keep none Nigerian herdsmen from flowing into the
country.”
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