The Anglican Bishop of Ihiala diocese, Anambra State, Right Reverend Prof Israel ’Kelue Okoye, at the weekend condemned the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government in arresting the menace of the herdsmen across the country.

He urged Federal Government to take decisive action against the rampaging herdsmen in the interest of Nigerian farmers.

Okoye noted that the failure of the Federal Government to stop the invasion of farmlands by herdsmen tends to have encouraged some of the herdsmen to employ various instruments of violence to intimidate farmers.

His words: “Because the herdsmen are not often arrested and treated for their lawlessness, they moved a step further by acquiring guns which they employ in terrorising not only farmers, but the families living in the vicinities they invade, purportedly in search of grazing fields.”

Addressing journalists after First Session of the Third Synod of Ihiala Diocese at the Cathedral Church of St. Silas, Ihiala, Bishop Okoye regretted the number of farmers, families herdsmen have killed including houses worth billions of naira.

He said: “Any nation that pampers evil supervises its own liquidation. Furthermore, any nation that would not deal decisively against the invasion and destruction of its farmlands, products , and the sanctity of the life of its citizens has programmed itself for annihilation.

“While the band of militants deceitfully parade themselves as herdsmen are allowed to unleash havoc on people, there is no better time to act than now, and let this menace be curbed.

“Responsible herdsmen should be encouraged to establish ranches for their cattle. Any business that is transacted in violation of other people’s business rights is an economic virus. I doubt if Nigeria can afford it.”

The cleric cited the 2017 Synod theme, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us”, a quotation he picked from Isaiah 6:8, as apt even as he thanked his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Ogechukwu Okoye , President of Mothers’ Union , Women Guild and Girls Guild, Diocese of Ihiala, and others for their support since they were consecrated and enthroned.

Bishop Okoye also lamented the spate of denominationalism in Anmabra State, which he said had been turned into a divisive force that engenders suspicion, hatred, skewed distribution of resources, marginalisation, and other vices that have no place in biblical Christianity.

He added: “The situation is worsened by some religious leaders who feed their members with counsels and messages that are irritating to Christian conscience.

“It is incontrovertible that some highly respected individuals looked upon as Christian leaders are by inculcation in their members, divisiveness stereotyped negative image of others to their whims and caprices, proved themselves agents of destabilisation and instruments for the population of hell.

“The politicisation of Christianity and leading church members in the direction of perdition is not the fruit of anyone whose anointing is of God. The Bible remains the final authority teaching and leading people unto salvation.

“We need to be mindful of the fact that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done.

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