From Gyang Bere, Jos
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has frowned at the frightening security challenges that culminated to the recent killings of over 394 persons in rural communities of Benue, Southern Kaduna and Plateau States; and urged security agencies in the country to fish out the perpetrators and deal with them ruthlessly for justice.
The Church in a communique issued at the end of the 70th General Church Council (GCC) meeting and signed by the President, Rev. Stephen Baba Panya and General Secretary, Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu Jr. and made available to Journalists in Jos condemned in totaling the brutal killings in other parts of the country.
“The recent killing in the month of april, 2023 of 68 people at Zangon Kataf and several other communities in Southern Kaduna. killing of 30 people in Agatu LGA; 250 people in Apa LGA; 75 people in Otukpo; 39 People in Guma LGA Making a total of 394 people in Benue State, Nigeria. Also, the killing of 10 people in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs in Plateau State and the sacking of indigenous communities in the Middle-Belt States namely Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Southern Kaduna, Benue, and Taraba states respectively.
“The Council called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to rise up to her constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property and dealing ruthlessly with those responsible for these wicked acts, and to provide good governance characterized by transparency, integrity and accountability by constituting an atmosphere for employment of teaming youths of Nigeria so as to stem hunger, unemployment, illiteracy, corruption and religious extremism.”
ECWA described the frequent assaults on security operatives in the line of duty but unidentified groups across the country as unacceptable and urged Federal Government to improve the provision of security equipment and take adequate care of security personnel.
The Church also advised government to sieve the security outfit of bad elements and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crimes to book.
On the 2023 general elections, the Council expressed displeasure over the unprofessional conducts of some of the electoral umpires and security agents which to some extent, marred the overall outcome of the polls.
“The General Church Council called on the judiciary to do justice to all matters that may be brought before the courts as justice should be seen and be manifestly seen to be done since the courts are the last hope of the common man. Politicians, political party leaders, their representatives and supporters were called upon to sheathe their swords and refrain from making inflammatory statements to allow the judiciary carry out its constitutional responsibilities in this case so as to avoid overheating the polity.”
The church described the currency swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a thoughtful initiative but expressed displeasure over the unbearable hardship the policy inflicted on the Nigerian masses.
“This was compounded by fuel scarcity and hyper-inflation, The Council called on the government to reconsider the processes of implementation of the policy and provide all alternatives to cushioning the negative effects of the policy before 31st December, 2023 deadline and ensure, among other things, that the banks are fully and seamlessly prepared for the smooth implementation”
Its urged Federal Government to adequately mobilize all genuine citizens for the forthcoming census and admonished the National Population Commission to be honest, just and equitable and justify the conduct of the head count.