… as Aliyu proffers solution to security challenges
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has blamed the inability of
the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the Boko Haram
phenomenon on what it described as its “cavalier” approach to the
problem.
Moreso Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has suggested that the
only way of stemming the current security challenges is to checkmate
mischief makers who hide under religion to create disunity among
Nigerians and isolate them from the society
CAN said the statements credited to President Goodluck Jonathan and
other top officials of his administration after each attack “even if
unwittingly, seem to have cast a hallmark of weakness on his presidency
and an escalation of the terrorist acts.”
CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement entitled The
Kaduna/Zaria Suicide Bombings by his Special Assistant on Media and
Public Affairs, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, yesterday, said: “President of CAN is
once more saddened by another series of blasts in Kaduna and Zaria and
the latest one in Damaturu, Yobe State, which came on the heels of the
three simultaneous bomb attacks on churches in Wusasa, Sabon Gari in
Zaria and Trikania in Kaduna.
“He is equally saddened by the reprisal attacks that followed. The
bombings are clear indications that the Jamaatu Alhlisunnah
Lidda’awatiwal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, has declared war on
Christians and Christianity in Nigeria.
“In fact, the pattern of bombings and gun attacks suggest to us a
systematic religious cleansing, which reminds Christians of the genesis
of a Jihad.”
Oritsejafor said the Federal Government should “not behave like a man
who stepped into a pitch dark room, straining his eyes to catch a
reflection of the smile on his face in a mirror.
“Switch on the light in the room or step out into the light, as
switching on the light would mean the completion of the good works the
National Assembly has started.”
He added: “Before last Sunday’s reprisals, we had reminded the
Federal Government that what was happening to Christians in the northern
part of this country is an inescapable invitation to jungle justice and
anarchy.
“Since July 26, 2009 when the sect members had their first clash with
security agencies in Bauchi till today, Nigerians, particularly
Christians, have been subjected to a kind of surrealistic existence.
“Since these terrorist acts began, nothing the President, Dr.
Jonathan has done has assured that the end to this spate of bombings and
gun attacks is in sight.
“What appears more worrisome is the management of the crisis by the
President in whose hands the security of lives and property of Nigerians
are. Indeed, the management is cavalier in approach as officials at the
highest levels send out conflicting signals about strategy.”
… as Aliyu proffers solution to security challenges
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has suggested that the only
way of stemming the current security challenges is to checkmate mischief
makers who hide under religion to create disunity among Nigerians and
isolate them from the society.
Aliyu, who spoke at the opening ceremony of a workshop on Coaching
and Mentoring for Performance, jointly organised by the state government
and the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, also vowed not to give room for
trouble-makers whose intentions are to incite others in place of
preaching love for one another and peaceful co-existence.
He said: “Even if it is a Pastor or an Imam that is going about to
incite their people, we will isolate them because we want peace and
development in our country and Niger State in particular.
“We should pray together in one place and not building mosques close
to another. We will no longer condone the building of worship centres
until we regulate them.”
‘Boko Haram not sole culprit’
Governor Aliyu argued that the problems facing Nigeria today are
cumulative and should not be blamed solely on members of the Islamist
group, Boko Haram, even though they claim responsibility to most of the
attacks.
Niger State replicates the heterogeneity of the country which entails
respect and recognition for the two major religion; Islam and
Christianity, Governor Aliyu remarked, adding that the state government
has maintained neutrality as a way of guaranteeing peaceful co-existence
among all.
As a way of checking trouble makers hiding under religion to cause
mischief in the state, Governor Aliyu said, “In Niger State, we will
isolate anybody or group of persons who provoke people to cause
problems. We are ready to accept only those who mean well for the
development of our state.”
He also warned that the state will no longer condone corruption in
all sectors of the economy, especially among the state workforce, saying
“those who retired as corrupt workers are neither better nor richer
than those without dents.
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