. . . Condemns kidnap of busload of RCCG members in Kaduna
. . . Tells Buhari, security agencies to sit up

With the increase in the rate of abduction and general insecurity in the country, the nation has embarked on a march to Golgotha, the national chairman of the Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Belusochukwu Enwere, has said.

According to him, self defence in churches, mosques and other places may be inevitable if the trend continues unchecked.

Enwere stated these in his speech delivered at the just-concluded leadership retreat held in Abuja, obtained by journalists on Sunday, entitled, “Kidnapped RCCG members: Nigeria on the march to Golgotha.”

His words: “The Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) is saddened by the kidnapping of a busload of members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who were abducted by gunmen in Kaduna, Kaduna State. Reports said they were on their way to Kachia for evangelism when they struck. Could this be another case of religious persecution, coming after the recent kidnapping of 39 Students of College of Forestry, Afaka close to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna?

“Our hearts bleeds that a busload of Christians from RCCG from Kaduna Province 1 going for a prayer work to Kafanchan was abducted on their way. The incident of kidnapping is a case too many and has left bitter tastes in our mouths.

“This has become a norm in our society where humans on daily basis could be whisked away by gunmen. As youths, we are disappointed that victims could be left with correspondence from the government without further actions. Nigeria is on its way to Golgotha and only divine intervention can stop it.

“We challenge the government, we challenge the security agencies to act now or never. The protection of lives and properties of the common man is their primary responsibility.

“This anti-human behaviour cannot be corrected by mere condemnation by government on the pages of Newspapers. And no responsible government will just sit or stand akimbo and watch the country slide in to anarchy. Buhari’s government and security agencies should sit up. If the situation does not improve, YOWICAN fears that self defence may be inevitable as Nigerian citizens may be forced to arm themselves in churches, mosques, while traveling and in some holy places.

“We must not forget in a hurry, John F. Kennedy who, in 1962, said that, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

“The government must rise now and take responsibility of the security challenges going on in the country. How could citizens be taken away just like that without a trace?

“For some time now, kidnapping has become the new trend in our society. Our students in Kastina, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and other parts of the country were kidnapped. And now abduction of church members. This is disheartening indeed.”