Families, communities traumatised by killings in Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, others – Northern Christian Leaders

•Demand psychosocial support to displaced communities

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA) has condemned the disturbing and renewed wave of killings, kidnappings, violent attacks, and banditry being unleashed on innocent communities across Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba States, with many of the attacks disproportionately affecting Christians and other vulnerable populations.

NOCRELA Chairman, Archbishop JohnPraise Daniel, in a statement, on Friday, noted that the recent incidents of brutal killings, abductions, and coordinated terrorist attacks across many states have left families traumatised, communities displaced, and survivors abandoned without access to basic necessities.

He said: “This alarming level of insecurity is unacceptable in a nation governed by law and constitutionally committed to the protection of lives and property. We state unequivocally that these acts of violence are evil, barbaric, and inhuman, and constitute a grave assault on the sanctity of human life.

“The continuous targeting of defenceless communities, particularly Christian communities raises serious concern about the safety of lives in the affected states and communities across northern Nigeria. Unfortunately, silence, indifference, or delayed action in the face of this bloodshed only embolden the perpetrators and deepens the culture of impunity.”

He called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy adequate and well-equipped security personnel, intelligence assets, and operational support to the affected areas in Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba States to halt further attacks and restore peace.

Similarly, he urged the Governments of Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba States to rise to their constitutional responsibilities by ensuring the protection of lives and property of all residents, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or location.

He asked that security agencies urgently and decisively identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the heinous crimes, as well as their sponsors and collaborators, to serve as a strong deterrent to others.

“We also demanded that relevant emergency and humanitarian agencies, including NEMA and the respective State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), immediately provide relief materials, medical assistance, shelter, and psychosocial support to displaced persons and affected communities, while the government at all levels proactively engage community leaders, faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, and civil society actors in addressing the root causes of insecurity and preventing future occurrences,” he suggested.

Archbishop JohnPraise assured that NOCRELA will continue to stand firmly in solidarity with the grieving families, displaced persons, and the entire Christian & Muslims communities in Kwara, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba States.