The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Southern Kaduna
branch, has called on the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to urgently do
something to bring to an end the incessant killings and destruction of property
in the area.
CAN called on government and security agencies to, as a
matter of urgency act decisively towards ensuring that these acts of terrorism
and persecutions were checked to ensure that there is guaranteed freedom of
worship and practicing of the Christian faith.
A press statement issued by Venerable John Bwankwot and
Pastor Michael l. Maikarfi, chairman and secretary of the association to
newsmen in Kaduna, Tuesday, said, “It is with heavy hearts that we now tell the
world that we have again commemorated another major religious festival mourning
the death of twelve of our beloved brothers and sisters that were murdered in
cold blood at Asso in Jema’a Local government area of Kaduna State on April
15th, 2017. Others are in critical health conditions following that attack.
“We are so troubled on every side that at a time when we
were supposed to be celebrating the suffering, death, burial and resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of mankind at Easter, we were plunged into
wailing, the anguish of soul, bitter cries and burying loved ones. Innocent
souls were battered, their blood spilt on the ground as they were sent to their
untimely graves through unprovoked attacks by people suspected to be armed
herdsmen.
“Our zone suffered similar attacks last December when Goska
community and environs in Jema’a local government were attacked on the eve of
Christmas and scores of people murdered with over 80 houses in the community
razed down. Looking at all these happenings we are left to wonder what all
these mean.
“Apart from seeing these devilish works as systematic and
deliberate attempts to chase us out of our land, are they not also targeted
towards harassing us to stop practising our religion? In clear terms, we see
this as sheer persecution of the Christian faith in Southern Kaduna.
“As Christians, we are peace-loving people. We have a long
tradition of peaceful coexistence which is rooted in the Bible as taught by our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We have also continued to stress to our
congregations the need for forgiveness of past wickedness done to them by these
enemies of peace and progress, and the need to embrace all and live peaceably
with them.
“However, these continuous unprovoked attacks on innocent
citizens where helpless men, women, youths and children are murdered by herdsmen
wielding sophisticated weapons have the potency of overstretching our peaceful
nature and tolerance level.
“The government has spoken a lot about the efforts it has
been making over time to curb these menace of unprovoked attacks on the
peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of Southern Kaduna. But for these
killings lingering right under the eyes of this government and the security
agencies that have been deployed to the area since these renewed waves of
violence from last year, leave so much to be desired.
“Apart from these ongoing attacks which are a war that has
been declared against our people, there are also some other dimension to this
systematic war which are equally terrifying and worrisome. In most of our
communities across the 8 local governments in Southern Kaduna, these herdsmen
have deliberately and freely turned our farmlands with standing crops to their
grazing reserves.
“Go to places like Pasakori, Kagoro, Gidan Waya, Godogodo,
Tudun Wada – Amere, Sanga and other places across our zone, you will see how
our farmlands have been plundered by these herdsmen. Banana plantations,
cassava, palm plantations, yam and other crops have been cleared by their
cattle. Sometimes these herdsmen usually cut these cash crops down or uproot
them for their cattle to feed on. Can you imagine the kind of hunger that is
being programmed for the whole of Southern Kaduna by these ungodly practices?
“At least, some of our people rear goats, pigs and other
domestic animals too. But we do not let our animals roam to the point that they
go into our neighbours standing crops and destroy them. And we cannot do
anything to harm the herdsmen cattle either. Therefore, we call on government,
security agencies and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders
Association (MACBAN) in Kaduna state and other organizations to urgently see to
it that these atrocities and evil acts of wickedness are halted.
“Like our people do, these herdsmen may have to go to places
where they can buy land and establish cattle ranches for themselves. We say
this not because we don’t want them around us, but because of their constant
unprovoked attacks on our people and also being aware of the fact that in core
northern states like Kano, Katsina and other places, these herdsmen are not
allowed to go about grazing their cattle freely and destroying crops. So, why
must it be so in Southern Kaduna?
“Most of our people that were attacked are yet to return
home in many of our communities. This is either because their houses have been
burnt down or the roofing sheets, doors, windows and other useful properties
have been removed and carted away by the attacking herdsmen and their
collaborators, or for the fear of being attacked if they return home. With all
these happenings over time, there are more fears of further attacks, death and
severe hunger looming over Southern Kaduna. No one is feeling safe at all.”
By Amos Tauna
