The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has raised fears over the spate of kidnapping in the country, warning that citizens may resort to carrying weapons in churches, mosques, while travelling and wherever they find the selves.
It therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, and security agencies to sit up and act now or never.
National Chairman of YOWICAN, Belusochukwu Enwere, raised the fears in his speech titled, ‘Kidnapped RCCG members: Nigeria on the march to Golgotha‘, delivered at the just-concluded leadership retreat held in Abuja, and obtained by journalists, yesterday.
He was reacting to the kidnapping of a bus filled with Christians from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Kaduna Province 1, who were said to be going for a prayer work to Kafanchan.
According to him, the incidence of kidnapping had become a case too many and has left bitter tastes in the mouths of many persons in Nigeria.
Enwere wondered whether the abduction of RCCG members was another case of religious persecution, coming after the recent kidnapping of 39 students of College of Forestry, Afaka close to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
He said, “We challenge the government, we challenge the security agencies to act now or never. The protection of lives and properties of the common man is their primary responsibility.
“This anti-human behaviour cannot be corrected by mere condemnation by government on the pages of Newspapers. No responsible government will just sit or stand akimbo and watch the country slide in to anarchy.
“Buhari’s government and security agencies should sit up. If the situation does not improve, YOWICAN fears that self defence may be inevitable as Nigerian citizens may be forced to arm themselves in churches, mosques, while travelling and in some holy places.
“Our hearts bleeds that a busload of Christians from RCCG from Kaduna Province 1 going for a prayer work to Kafanchan was abducted on their way. The incident of kidnapping is a case too many and has left bitter tastes in our mouths.
“This has become a norm in our society where humans, on daily basis, could be whisked away by gunmen. As youths, we are disappointed that victims could be left with correspondence from the government without further actions. Nigeria is on its way to Golgotha and only divine intervention can stop it.
