The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing killings in Southern Kaduna by herdsmen as giving official endorsement to dastardly acts to eliminate Christians in the state.

CAN National General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake on behalf of CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle stated this on Friday in Abuja where he declared Jan 8, 2017 national day for mourning in solidarity with Southern Kaduna people.

He enjoined Christians to have all celebrations/merriments associated with the New Year to be done low key in solidarity with “our brethren in southern Kaduna who had lost their lives and who have been denied the privilege of celebrating the yuletide.

“While we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his Assumption of office, his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks speaks volume over the perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.

“The recent defense of the President’s silence that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter is unacceptable, because the Presidency knows that the people of the affected area had already protested against the governor’s unacceptable biased handling of the continuous killings.

“Common sense tells anyone that at that instance, the President has to more directly wade in because lives are involved. The continuous killings have shown that the Governor of Kaduna State lacks the will power to arrest the situation and bring it under effective control.

“We know that southern Kaduna has been under 24-hour curfew daily as directed by the governor, yet the enemies of the people are still prowling going from house to house killing defenseless people without government protection.

“CAN has previously drawn attention to the imbalance in the appointments made in our security Institutions, hence we re-emphasise that leadership/ management of security institutions both at the national and state levels be reviewed to ensure a balance of Muslim and Christian Representation. Such balance, will build trust and confidence among all citizens of Nigeria in the Security empowered to protect our nation,” he stated.

Continuing, Asake said: “The current unprecedented onslaught against Christians in southern Kaduna by the Islamic fundamentalists disguising as the Fulani herdsmen under the watch of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and President Muhammadu Buhari has reached an alarming stage.

“In view of the present predicament, the President of CAN has directed that Sunday January 8 2017, should be declared national day of mourning by Christians including those in Diaspora. We are to pray fervently for our southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country Nigeria.

“Therefore, all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all our church services on January 8, 2017.”

He accused security agencies of complicity in the genocide being perpetrated against Christians in the state.

“The security operatives in the area appear to be turning blind eyes to the killings. They only rush to trouble spots after the perpetrators of the evils had performed their enterprise of killings and destruction of houses and farmlands.

“We implore the state and federal government to increase their efforts in putting an end to these killings and as well ensure that those behind the killings are brought to book under the laws of

our land and those affected to be compensated,” he said.

•Text courtesy of The AUTHORITY.

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