Christians in nationwide protest against killings

Many churches in Makurdi, Benue State, on Sunday, complied with the directive  of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as Christian faithful  wore black and white attires as a mark of mourning for the murdered catholic priests and parishioners of St Ignatius Church, Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area.
Two Catholic priests,  Rev.  Father  Joseph Gor and Rev. Father  Felix Tyolaha, as well as  16 other worshippers were killed at  the 5 a.m.  mass of the church  on April 24.
A visit to some churches in Makurdi revealed that most worshippers, regardless of denomination, wore black and white dresses to church.
The worshippers held peaceful protests within their churches to denounce the acts of barbarism and gruesome killings and other attacks on innocent citizens.
They held placards with inscriptions such as  “Enough of the killings”, “We want peace in our state”, “No more bloodshed”, “Lord, what have we done to deserve this?’’  among  others.
At the NKST church in Iyortyer, Makurdi, the worshippers were seen with placards and  marching peacefully within  the premises of the worship house.
Speaking to newsmen, Pastor Frederick Ikyaan of   NKST  Church at High Level area of the metropolis, said the Christian community was in mourning
“We are saddened by these killings and we want the world to know our displeasure over these acts,’’ he said.
He said that the dress code was reminiscent of the  tradition of the church in  wearing sack clothes when faced with such calamities.
” In the olden days, Christians wore sack clothes when confronted with calamities of monstrous nature but since we no longer have such clothes, we wear black and white to show our grief and anguish.
“Our concern is to express our displeasure and feelings to the immediate society, our leaders in Nigeria and President Buhari,  without mincing words that we are offended by the ongoing killings in the state and the  country,’’ he said.
He said that with the killing  of the priests and worshippers,  it was very clear that the invaders were not after the green vegetation but the soul of the state.
The cleric  said that the killing of the priests had further deepened their faith and beliefs system, adding that no amount of intimidation would stop them from practising their faith.
He said that the priests and  faithful  killed had become martyrs of the herdsmen invasion in Benue,  adding that they were the seeds  sown by the church.
Also speaking, the Associate Pastor of  NKST Church,  Iortyer, Rev.  Terwugwa Akaawude,  appealed to the Federal Government to protect lives and property of the citizens.
On his part, Rev.  Father  Patrick Odeh of St. Juliana Catholic Mission, Bebe, High Level,   accused Nigerian politicians of playing games with human lives.
Odeh said  politicians were bereft of conscience in handling such sensitive matters as the killings, adding that the death of the two priests had united the church and made it stronger.
The cleric, who  said the priests and worshippers died in active service, described them as ” gallant soldiers  who never lost their faith.’’
He said they would be rewarded in eternity by  God.
A combined team of security operatives were seen patrolling the state capital while the church services were ongoing.
In Oyo State, churches from various denominations under the umbrella body of  Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday in Ibadan embarked on peaceful protest against the  incessant killings by suspected herdsmen in the country.
CAN President, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, had in a statement on April 25 urged Christians to hold peaceful protests within their church premises.
The Chairman of CAN in Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, said that members had been directed to stage the protest in compliance with  the directives by the national body.
Akanmu said that the protest  was   limited to the vicinity of the churches in order to prevent  it from being hijacked by hoodlums.
Rev. Dr Samuel Wojuola, the Senior Pastor of Bodija-Ashi Baptist Church, Ibadan, during the rally by the church urged government to address the security challenges in the country.
Wojuola said that the incessant killings must be halted  to promote  peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the church joined the protest to show disapproval for the unending bloodshed in different parts of the country.
In Kano, the state chapter of CAN decided to embark on intense prayers to stop the spate of killings across the country.
Rev Adeolu Samuel, the state Chairman , stated this at a news conference on Sunday in Kano.
He explained that there was need for the Federal Government to declare the killers as terrorists and rise against them, while the military should also confront them as such.
The CAN president also appealed to the Federal Government to go extra miles in freeing Leah Sharibu and the other abducted Chibok Girls by the terrorists.
According to Samuel,  CAN demands that the government look out for the sponsors of such killings and bring them to justice.
The association, however, commended the Kano Emirate and the state government for ensuring that the state was peaceful and safe for all to live in and worship.