The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has condemned a video circulating on social media in which a younger man led a gaggle of boys in chants calling for AK-47 rifles to assault Christians in Enugu and Jos throughout Sunday worship.
CAN, in an announcement signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, its President, stated the threats are completely unacceptable, including that no Nigerian ought to have to concern for his or her life due to their religion or face the prospect of violence merely for gathering to worship God.
“Such threats should not be dismissed as mere chants or handled as innocent shows of youthful exuberance. They demand pressing consideration and decisive action,” the apex Christian physique stated.
CAN additional described the viral video as obvious incitement to non secular violence, including, “We are significantly alarmed by the obvious involvement of youngsters and younger individuals in chants threatening the killing of harmless worshippers.
“The risk that younger persons are being uncovered to or inspired to embrace such hatred raises critical considerations that should not be ignored.
“We name on the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and different related safety companies to launch an pressing and thorough investigation to set up when and the place the video was recorded, establish these concerned and decide who organised or facilitated the exercise. Anyone discovered culpable should be held accountable in accordance with the regulation.
“We additionally urge the authorities to assess any credible safety dangers arising from the threats and take acceptable measures to defend Christian communities and locations of worship in Enugu, Jos and elsewhere. Nigerians should be in a position to attend non secular companies with out concern of assault or intimidation.
“We observe the reported disavowal of the video by the management of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS. We recognise the significance of creating the information earlier than drawing conclusions about institutional involvement. However, the denial of duty by any organisation can not substitute an impartial investigation into the identities of these concerned, the origin of the video and the circumstances surrounding the chants.
“Beyond figuring out these immediately concerned, the investigation ought to set up whether or not any people or teams inspired, financed or facilitated the threats. Those accountable should face the total penalties of the regulation, with out favour or discrimination.
“Religious leaders throughout Nigeria even have a duty to reject, unequivocally, any educating, slogan or exercise that promotes hatred or violence in opposition to folks of one other religion. Young folks ought to be raised to respect human life and the dignity of others, not taught to regard fellow residents as enemies to be eradicated due to their non secular beliefs.
“Nigeria has endured an excessive amount of violence, bloodshed and mistrust to deal with threats of this nature flippantly. Allowing such conduct to go unchallenged would ship a harmful message that threats in opposition to residents on non secular grounds will be made with out consequence. The authorities should reveal, via concrete action, that such intimidation is not going to be tolerated.
“We urge Christians to stay calm, vigilant and law-abiding whereas the authorities examine the matter. We should not permit provocation to draw harmless folks into retaliatory actions that might deepen divisions or endanger lives.”
CAN stated it stands for justice, non secular freedom and peaceable coexistence, including that it’s going to proceed to converse out in opposition to each threat to the lives and rights of Christians and different Nigerians, whereas insisting that each citizen, no matter non secular affiliation, is entitled to equal safety underneath the regulation.
“The authorities should act swiftly, examine totally and maintain these accountable accountable. The security of Nigerians and the liberty to worship mustn’t ever be negotiable,” the assertion added.
