Christian Leaders in Nigeria Urge Collective Responsibility to “fish out” Terror Movements

“We will continue, not only just to talk to them openly, but will engage them in conversation, and we pray that within a short time, God will answer our prayers,” says the official of the Christian entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). 

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

Since then, the group, one of largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.

The situation of insecurity in the West African nation has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia, who have been clashing frequently with Christian farmers over grazing land.

In the November 24 report, Rev. Okoh who was elected President of CAN in July also reflects on the general elections slated for 25 February 2023. 

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He urges Nigerians to vote for a presidential candidate who has the capacity to tackle the economic and security challenges of Africa’s most populous nation. 

Meanwhile, CAN members in Sanga Local Council of Kaduna State have passed a vote of no confidence on some security agencies over insecurity in the Nigerian region.

The Christian leaders in Kaduna reportedly reached the resolution at the end of their summit after what they referred to as “the destruction of crops and indiscriminate killing of Christians across Sanga.”

In a November 25 report, members of CAN in Sanga Local Council of Kaduna State, in a collective communiqué passed a vote of no confidence to some security agencies over insecurity in the area.

The report indicates that the action was taken at the end of a summit by pastors in the area due to what they referred to as “the destruction of crops and indiscriminate killing of Christians across Sanga.”

CAN Secretary in the area, Apostle Silas Dabo, appeals “to the authorities to investigate the matter to ensure sanity for sustainable peace and unity.”

The Christian leaders also call on security agencies to “desist from taking sides on conflicts between farmers and pastoralists and ensure that justice is done, and seen to be done, in the area.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.