God save us from terrorism’
The Christians talked tough again yesterday over the attacks on churches and their members by suspected Islamic fundamentalists.
“Protect yourselves,” Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor charged them.
He spoke at the premises of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, during his visit to the Church that was bombed on Christmas Day by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers.
Yesterday in Madalla, Pastor Oritsejafor warned against a recurrence of attacks on churches.
He said: “We want to pray to God that this will be the last, this is our prayer, and this is our desire. God should save us from all forms of terrorism.”
Oritsejafor was accompanied by CAN executive members to the church where scores were murdered after the Mass of Nativity.
Oritsejafor said: “As CAN President, I will not encourage revenge, but I will ask all Christians to protect themselves anyway they can. Why should anybody come and kill you in your house, protect yourself, protect your place of worship, protect your property.”
He described the bombing as “pure madness” adding, “normal people don’t behave like this, even animals have value for each other, so we condemn it completely, it’s not normal.”
Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi decried the attack on the church.
He narrated the experience of a nine-year old who was thrown up by the bomb explosion only to land on the roof of the Anglican Church some meters away.
THE President told Nigerians last night to remain calm in the face of the country’s security challenges.
Dr Goodluck Jonathan assured all that the government is on top of the situation. Some arrests have been made and suspects will soon be prosecuted, he told a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) team, led by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Some countries facing similar attacks have offered help to Nigerians, the President said.
Besides, he spoke of plans to restructure and re-adjust the security system to produce a team that will meet the challenges. He gave no details.
To the Christian leaders, the attacks on churches, including the Christmas Day bombings in Madalla, Niger State, Jos, Damaturu and Maiduguri is a declaration of war on Christians.
The death toll in the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja incident has been put at 34. A suicide bomber drove into worshippers as they filed out after the early morning Mass, setting off explosives.
Pastor Oritsejafor, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja meeting last night, blamed the attacks on Islamic, religious and traditional rulers, who, he said, are not publicly condemning the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram (Western education is a sin).
The CAN president, who stressed that Christians have lost confidence in the government’s ability to protect Christians, however, assured President Jonathan of CAN’s continuous prayers and support for his administration.
The Christians talked tough again yesterday over the attacks on churches and their members by suspected Islamic fundamentalists.
“Protect yourselves,” Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor charged them.
He spoke at the premises of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, during his visit to the Church that was bombed on Christmas Day by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers.
Yesterday in Madalla, Pastor Oritsejafor warned against a recurrence of attacks on churches.
He said: “We want to pray to God that this will be the last, this is our prayer, and this is our desire. God should save us from all forms of terrorism.”
Oritsejafor was accompanied by CAN executive members to the church where scores were murdered after the Mass of Nativity.
Oritsejafor said: “As CAN President, I will not encourage revenge, but I will ask all Christians to protect themselves anyway they can. Why should anybody come and kill you in your house, protect yourself, protect your place of worship, protect your property.”
He described the bombing as “pure madness” adding, “normal people don’t behave like this, even animals have value for each other, so we condemn it completely, it’s not normal.”
Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi decried the attack on the church.
He narrated the experience of a nine-year old who was thrown up by the bomb explosion only to land on the roof of the Anglican Church some meters away.
THE President told Nigerians last night to remain calm in the face of the country’s security challenges.
Dr Goodluck Jonathan assured all that the government is on top of the situation. Some arrests have been made and suspects will soon be prosecuted, he told a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) team, led by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Some countries facing similar attacks have offered help to Nigerians, the President said.
Besides, he spoke of plans to restructure and re-adjust the security system to produce a team that will meet the challenges. He gave no details.
To the Christian leaders, the attacks on churches, including the Christmas Day bombings in Madalla, Niger State, Jos, Damaturu and Maiduguri is a declaration of war on Christians.
The death toll in the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja incident has been put at 34. A suicide bomber drove into worshippers as they filed out after the early morning Mass, setting off explosives.
Pastor Oritsejafor, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja meeting last night, blamed the attacks on Islamic, religious and traditional rulers, who, he said, are not publicly condemning the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram (Western education is a sin).
The CAN president, who stressed that Christians have lost confidence in the government’s ability to protect Christians, however, assured President Jonathan of CAN’s continuous prayers and support for his administration.
No comments:
Post a Comment