From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja and Dan Amasingha, Minna

The newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, has been reportedly attacked by bandits whisking away the Pastor, his wife and other members.

‎The attack occurred yesterday during Sunday service.

‎The community was said to have been thrown into chaos on Sunday morning after armed bandits launched an attack during the church service.

‎According to locals, the attack forced worshippers to run for safety as gunshots echoed through the area. The pastor of the church, popularly known as Orlando, was taken away along with his wife and several other members.

‎Residents described the incident as terrifying, saying the bandits stormed the community unexpectedly and left many people in shock. The exact number of those abducted is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile the Kogi State government through the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo has confirmed the development saying that government has intensified surveillance and patrols, and launched a manhunt for the bandits who attacked the Cherubim and Seraphim church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA of the state.

The pastor of the church, his wife and yet to be ascertained members of the church were during today’s service whisked away by the gunmen.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, when contacted, said, “Yes, I have information to that effect, and I am also aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture, is currently doing what they should do.

‎”The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators, too, already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.

”The Governor of the State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities, and we will keep the press updated on the operations.

‎”We urge the citizens to be security-conscious and also report suspicious movement and faces to security agencies. When you see something, say something.

‎”Worship Centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better.”

Christian Worshipers Urge Tinubu, Bago to Rescue Abducted Pupils

Worshippers from within the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora on Sunday called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers of St. Mary’s Private Catholic church in Papiri Agwarra local government area of Niger state who are still held in captivity.

One of the worshippers, a retired teacher, Madam Cecilia Audi, who spoke with our Correspondent after the Sunday Mass called on President Tinubu to act fast and ensure the safe return of the children like they did for those in Kebbi state.

According to her “honestly, I pity the Bishop for all the stress and to know that these children and teachers are still in captivity, but God will see him through and bring our children back to us safely.

“President Tinubu and Governor Umar Bago do all you can to bring back our children. We are all crying and cannot eat or sleep.”

Another parent and worshipper, Tina Okeke who is also the Provincial Catholic Women President and Elizabeth Otti charged women in the state and Nigeria at large to join in the prayers to call for urgent release of those in captivity.

Accordingly, they said “we believe in God that these innocent young children will return home and be reunited with their parents.”

Okeke then asked “is it an offense to send our children to school or to get our children educated? Mothers all over the world irrespective of religion, tribe or other affiliation are praying along with us.

“I call on our dear President and his wife to please act fast, find a way to get these children returned safely to their parents”.

While assuring that the prayers said during the service shall be answered, Elizabeth Otti disclosed that, the people now go out in fear, they worship and go to the market in fear.

An executive member of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Kontagora Diocese, Emmanuel Anyanwu said ever since the adoption, most parents have not been able to sleep or eat.

He then appealed to the federal and state governments including the security agencies to top up their actions. “I have not been myself ever since, as you can see, everyone is devastated but our hopes are high”, he added.

In his Homily to mark the First Sunday of Advent at the St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna prayed for the ‘Return of the pupils, students and teachers who were abducted over a week ago.

According to him “what happened to us is very tragic, and unexpected. But those who are supposed to stand up to do their work have started doing so.

“As I speak to you now, one of our catechists has four children among those abducted. We cannot hide from reality and the time has come for the truth to be told.

Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Proprietor of the School, said for over a week now, 265 children and teachers are not yet accounted for.

“We need them back and I believe those who are responsible to secure us are doing their work. Everyone is traumatized but let’s continue to pray”.

While thanking everyone for their support and prayers, Bishop Yohanna said “I want to believe that our government is ready and capable to do the right thing for the safe return of the children and teachers”.

Suspend All Non-essential Gatherings Now, Bakare Urges FG

Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church has urged the Federal Government to suspend all non-essential gatherings in vulnerable areas nationwide, and place them under emergency patrols.

Bakare made the call at a State of the Nation news conference titled: “The Darkness before Dawn” held at the Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos on Sunday.

The pastor noted that while such measures might appear as militarisation of affected communities, they remained essential and temporary steps of neutralising terrorism in Nigeria.

“The suspension of mass gatherings and increased emergency patrols measures must be taken to prevent further mass kidnappings.”

He lamented that terrorists have intensified their attacks on Nigerians from the moment the U.S President, Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of a government-tolerated killing of Christians.

Bakare noted that years of leadership failure to confront the nation’s underlying crises finally came to a head.

According to him, to position Nigeria strategically in the shifting global order, an integrated approach is required, one that would involve a critical review of our governance structure, security architecture and geo-economic strategy.

Bakare said it is the failure of state institutions over the years that transformed a local revolt into a vicious terrorist movement and other unresolved grievances.

According to Bakare, at the 2014 National Conference, the progressives were convinced that Nigeria does not need the creation of additional states.

”We strongly believed that what was needed was the consolidation of states into geopolitical zones, rather than the further balkanisation of non-viable states.

“However, for the sake of trustful give-and-take, and in the spirit of equity, we, at the Committee for Political Structure and Forms of Government, aligned with our Committee Chairman, elder statesman, retired Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, and advocated an additional state for the South East.

“Concessions such as these will lay the groundwork for genuine integration and inclusion in the South South, which includes Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. Years of environmental degradation and resource control disputes led to militancy.”

The pastor also reiterated the call for restructuring Nigeria to ensure cohesion and unity.

“While we acknowledge  ongoing efforts of  President Bola Tinubu to swiftly  address the situation—from the declaration of emergency on security to mass recruitment into the police force—we urge him  to rise up to the occasion and restructure Nigeria.

Bakare also suggested that the Federal government should render an apology and compensation to victims of terrorism nationwide.

“This would entail opening a Victims and Survivors Register and the President would tender an apology on behalf of the Nigerian state to communities across the nation, calling each community by name, and, possibly, some of the families most gruesomely hit in the attacks.”

On the issue of state police, Bakare said that the President must not leave the process to state governors or the Governors’ Fora of the various zones.

“A nationally driven approach to devolution of policing powers will ensure that the right checks and balances are put in place to prevent subnational executive overreach.”

He said the one-year National Youth Service Corps should be replaced with a two-year scheme, the first year of which would be deployed toward military training and deployment.

The pastor called for standardisation of the nation’s Identity Management System with a view to answering the question, “Who is a Nigerian?”

He also recommended a constitutional referendum to give Nigerians a say on ongoing reforms, such that Nigerians would have the opportunity to determine how they intended to be governed.

Bakare pointed out that by directing that police officers be withdrawn from elite protection to actual policing duties, President Tinubu has already taken a step in the direction of one of our earlier recommendations

“To Nigerians across the nation, let us not despair. Let us instead hold fast to our conviction regarding the destiny of our nation, rest assured that our story will soon change for the better,” he added.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction