CAN Calls For Nationwide Protest Against Killer Herdsmen

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for a day of peaceful nationwide protest against the incessant killing of innocent Nigerians by killer Fulani herdsmen.

CAN said this in the light of the recent killing of many persons, including two Catholic priests, in Benue State and the continuous bloodshed across the country by the herdsmen.

Rev Olasupo Ayokunle, the CAN President on Wednesday in a statement, urged Christians to hold a peaceful protest within their church premises on Sunday, April 29, 2018.

He explained that the protest will also be aimed at supporting the government’s commitment towards the release of abducted Dapchi student, Leah Sharibu, and other Chibok schoolgirls who are still in Boko Haram captivity.

“CAN urges Christians in Nigeria to hold a peaceful protest on the set-aside date, in the premises of their churches asking the Federal Government and the security agencies to stop the unending killings and bloodshed in the country.

“Christians are to carry placards with inscriptions meant to address issues about sustained killings, attacks and destruction of their property in Nigeria.

“The inscriptions on placards could read, ‘Enough of bloodshed in Nigeria,’ ‘Enough of unlawful killings in the country’, ‘FG, Release Leah Sharibu from the bondage,’ ‘FG, Stop Herdsmen Killings,’ CAN reject FG’s poor handling of insecurity’’

“CAN seizes this medium to appeal to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to mount different effective plans aimed towards disarming herdsmen across the northern states and in communities where they have been wreaking havoc across the country in the National interest.

“It notes that the failure of the government to raise an effective campaign against the killings by herdsmen is the reason they have continued to kill, while there is no visible plan to pacify the aggrieved.

“The Association also calls on the heads of the security agencies to wake up to their constitutional role of protecting lives and property across the federation while preventing Nigeria from descending into chaos and a lawless country’’ the statement read.

The association also set the same day for a national prayer for Leah Sharibu`s liberty.

CAN also reminded Christians across the federation of the importance of the forthcoming general election and the need for them to fully participate this time by obtaining their voter’s cards

It stressed that their participation will play a vital role in the emergence of a new set of political leaders during the next election who could guarantee security and safety in the country.