FRIDAY OLOKOR
The Christian Association of Nigeria on Saturday asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to seek help from Israel, the United States and other countries to sustain the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in the country.
The organisation said the decision became necessary because the Buhari regime had been overwhelmed by the continuous security challenges in Nigeria.
The President of CAN, Dr Samson Ayokunle, represented by the Assistant General Secretary of CAN, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, stated these in Abuja during the inauguration of a new national chairman of its Youth Wing (YOWICAN), Belusochukwu Enwere.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Chairman of CAN in Imo State, Dr Divine Eches; and a senior lecturer at the Department of Astronomy, Alvan Ikokwu College of Education, Owerri, Maximus Enwere.
Ayokunke said CAN was seriously worried because of the persecution of Christians who were affected by the security challenges in the country.
He said, “It is very obvious that Nigeria needs assistance. I’m not President Muhammadu Buhari, but I’m sure that he will be worried as well. He should be willing to seek help from anywhere because insecurity has reached a worrying point where nobody is safe.
“We need help. Let me use the opportunity to tell the President to reach out to Israel, the United States and other countries that could be of help to Nigeria. The problem of insecurity is becoming overwhelming. Banditry and kidnapping are [crimes] against the human race.
“The President and leadership of CAN have spoken many times against insecurity and it does appear that it is too overwhelming for the present government. We will continue to pray for the government because there is a lack of security everywhere, from Adamawa to Lagos, Sokoto to Enugu, the highways are not safe.
“Even when you’re in your house, you’re not safe. We are seriously worried. The onus is on the government to protect the people. And the first assignment of the government is to protect everybody, including the government officials because they too are not safe.”
Speaking, the YOWICAN chairman, Enwere, promised to unify the church and carry the youths along.
“I promise to serve in a Christ-like manner,” he said.
Also, the CAN chairman in Imo State, Eches, appreciated Ayokunle and the Church “for giving us the opportunity for a transparent process which produced the YOWICAN leadership.”