CAN Youths Berate Nigerian Government, Military Over Inaction Against Insurgents

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

Following recent takeover of communities by insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country, Northern Christians have expressed disappointment over the failure of the Federal Government to stop Boko Haram offensives, complaining that over 8,000 people have been killed and over 1 Million, mostly women and children have been displaced.

The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) Youth Wing’s (North Central Zone), Chairman, Engr. Daniel Kadzai disclosed this in Jos, while briefing journalists. He accused it was obvious that the Federal Government has neglected Christians in the region.

Kadzai said, “700, 000 members of EYN church mostly women and children have been displaced and now scattered in places like Jos, Abuja and Kaduna.

“Over 8,000 members have been murdered or killed by the insurgents and 270 churches have been destroyed, 45 out of the 50 District Church Councils (DCC) have been affected. Kadazi stressed.

“The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, EYN with a membership strength of over 5 million is the worst affected by the Boko Haram attacks in the North East.

“Available information from the Catholic Church shows that, 3, 200 members of the Church have been killed, 350, 000 members have been displaced and 215 Catholic Churches destroyed.

“The Mountain Zion Church with Headquarters in Michika suffered the following losses. 6, 000 members displaced, 13 members killed and the Church Auditorium in Michika destroyed. Other churches like COCIN, ECWA Church Deeper Life Church, RCCG Praise Chapel Church, Baptist Church and many others have been affected by the Boko Haram attacks” the group alleged.

Kadazi further stated “We have lost confidence in the Federal government. The United Nation (UN) must intervene and declare North Eastern Nigeria a UN territory with immediate effect and send UN peacekeeping troops to secure the lives of the remaining traumatized people.

However, President Church of the Brethren also known as EYN, Rev. Samuel Dante Dali lamented that the insecurity has deprived his people the right to participate actively in the 2015 general elections as they have been displaced from their polling units, hence the his call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of the displaced people.