ICC Note
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communioun has called on the Government to protect all Nigerian citizens. They go a step further by calling on the Church to wake up to the violence happening against their co-religionists. They report that, Fulani militia attacks, with the purpose of ethnic and religious cleansing, continue unabated and unchecked. The Church of Nigeria calls both the Church and the government into action to stop the massacres against Christians.
06/11/2017 Nigeria (All Africa) – THE Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ughelli Diocese, Delta State, has called on the Federal Government not to abdicate its responsibility of protecting all Nigerian citizens, insisting that no set of persons engaging in criminal activities should be treated as sacred cows.
A communique at the end of the second session of the Seventh Synod, held at St Paul’s Church, Ekete Inland, by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt Rev Cyril Odutemu and Ven Daniel Edjere, urged security agencies to adequately protect lives and property.
Calling on traditional rulers, communities and individuals to be more security conscious, the church said that their security and safety are primarily their own responsibilities.
The communique said, “We are worried that the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen have continued unabated and unchecked. The recurring and orchestrated killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna, mass killings in parts of Benue State and others across the country have increased suspicion that the so-called herdsmen are an extension of terrorist groups carrying out an evil agenda of ethnic and religious cleansing. Characteristically, these mindless attacks are often unprovoked.
“They sack entire villages, rape women and girls, maim, kidnap, kill and commit other forms of violence while destroying farmlands and economic sources, which are the natives’ source of livelihood. Several communities in Delta State such as Uwheru, Olomu, Abraka, to mention but a few, have been under siege by these herdsmen. Very appalling is the near silence and indifference of the Federal Government and the ineffectiveness of the security agencies to tackle this problem.”
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