By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, has strongly condemned the present challenges going on in the country and called on government to take decisive steps to save the lives of all Nigerians.
Speaking on Sunday as part of CAN directive for all Christians in the country to peacefully protest the killing of Deborah Samuel, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, gruesomely murdered for alleged blasphemy, the Vice Chairman, CAN Kaduna State, Rev. Dr Chris Annger stated that the country is guided by a constitution, saying that it should be strictly followed for a better resolution of any case that may arise.
According to him, the gathering of Christians at the Evangelical Church of Winning All (ECWA), Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, was to thank God Almighty for life and to pray for peace in the country following the killing of a Christian student, Deborah Samuel of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
He explained, “Our gathering is in full compliance with the directives from the Christian Association of Nigeria that Christians should peacefully protest the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was killed over alleged blaspheming of Prophet Mohammed.”
He added, “Our gathering is to let the whole world know that it is not the best way to go by killing because the country has a constitution that guides the people and has to be respected by all. A situation where one will take the laws into his or her hands to waste life is unacceptable and that is why CAN, Kaduna chapter has gathered to condemn the act in totality.”
Dr. Chris Annger lamented that the issue of killing on account of alleged blasphemy has become a different thing in the country, regretting that where the government fails to protect its citizens is unacceptable.
He noted that as it is today in the country, the killing of Christians in the name of blasphemy is becoming a thing of great concern, calling on the government of the day not be silent but needs to control the situation as it is quite challenging in the country.
“Everybody has the right to life in the country and has to be respected,” he warned.
He opined that the attack in Sokoto was directly on Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah who has been a strong voice to the voiceless in the country.
According to Dr Chris Annger, “The attack in Sokoto was on Bishop Kukah, he is a voice to the voiceless in the country, he is speaking truth to power everyday. So that attack was directly or indirectly to him.”
The cleric, therefore, called on the government to immediately come up with mechanisms that would ensure the protection of life of Bishop Kukah and the lives of all Nigerians so that they will go about their legitimate businesses.
The CAN state Vice Chairman called on the NIgerian government to charge those responsible of carrying guns or agencies responsible for ensuring the protection of the citizens to be up and doing to protect the lives of believers and Nigerians, saying that the present challenges Nigerians are going through is unacceptable.
