Attacks on churches, Christian communities politically motivated

• Urges Christians to be prayerful, vigilant

From John Adams Minna

The National President of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria (BBN), Professor Samson Duna, has said the current wave of terrorists’ attacks targeted at churches and Christian communities across the country is politically motivated.

He stated this during the end of year thanksgiving of the BBN and the investiture ceremony of three national patrons at the ECWA Goodnews Church, Suleja, Niger State.

Professor Duna admitted that attacks on churches and Christians are biblical because “Christ said the world will hate you as a Christian, they will attack you but what we need to do is to prepare ourselves as Christians.

“So, the attack is biblical but we need to be vigilant because we have gotten to that level. Churches must wake up to provide security for Worshippers.”

While expressing dismay over the incessant attacks on churches and abduction of worshippers, he said it is impossible to rule out political dimension to current security situation, especially the attacks on churches.

“We cannot rule out the political dimension to the current security situation in the country. Those who are looking for power are there, those doing it for economic reasons are there and those struggling for lands are also part of the challenges,” he submitted.

He, therefore, urged the government to rise up to the occasion and do more to protect innocent citizens, regardless of their tribe and religious beliefs.

He stated that the essence of the Boys Brigade is to advance the Christ Kingdom among the youths to become God fearing and leaders of tomorrow.

Earlier, the President of the Boys Brigade, Niger State Council and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, said it was an understatement to say that Christians were being persecuted in Nigeria, describing the attacks on churches and Christians communities as unfortunate and an indictment of the leaders.

Vatsa maintained that whatever is the motive behind the escalation of attacks on churches and Christians communities in Nigeria, the authority should wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.

“If the government cannot protect the people from being attacked and killed, then there will be no moral reason to solicit for their votes,” he said.

The highlights of the ceremony was the investiture of three Boys Brigade members from Niger State as the national patrons. They include John Umoru of the University of Abuja, John Haruna Rike and Dr. Abiodun Abraham Ayoola.