Christian Leaders in Nigeria Condemn Suicide Bombing

ICC Note:
Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have condemned the suicide bombing of a predominately Christian neighborhood. They also called on all Christians to remember the victims of this act of violence. CAN leaders highlighted the insecurity of Christians in northern Nigeria who have been terrorized by Boko Haram for the past three years. Will the government listen to their needs?          
3/21/2013 Nigeria (Daily Times) – The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has commiserated with the families and friends of victims of Monday’s suicide bomb attack in Kano State.
President of the association Ayo Oritsejafor, sent the message in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Kenny Ashaka, his Special Assistant on Media.
He prayed that God should repose the souls of the departed and console their families.
He said that the prevalence of attacks on Christians and their Churches in the North in recent times were aimed at causing disaffection amongst Nigerians.
“The CAN president believes that the suicide bombing of a Lagos-bound 59-seater luxury bus which killed 25 people by those whose inhumanity and vicious behaviour terrifies Nigerians is utterly evil, tragic and condemnable.
“In as much as his heart goes to the Muslim victims in this latest suicide attack in Sabon Gari, Kano, a ward predominantly occupied by indigenous and non-indigene Christians, he feels the attacks in Kano were not in the interest of national development,’’ he said.
Mr. Oritsejafor urged Kano State Government to be more circumspect and liaise with security agencies in order to forestall future occurrence since the state had become one of the critical stages of Boko Haram violence.
He urged the Federal Government to show the will to tackle the Boko Haram menace by dealing decisively with those already implicated in the sponsorship of violence in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government cannot continue to condemn these heinous acts of the enemies of unity and agents of death without prosecuting those already arrested.
“The Federal Government should do the right thing by prosecuting those already in its net with proven record of complicity.
“I plead with the government to fish out the sponsors of Jama’atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal, commonly called Boko Haram, and the Islamic group, Jama’atu Ansaril Muslimina fi Sudan, better known as Ansaru,’’ Mr. Oritsejafor said.
…
[Full Story]