Patience Ogbodo
25 December 2008
THE Bauchi State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent religious crisis that occurred in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State which claimed several lives and led to destruction of properties worth millions of Naira just as it and called for intensive prayers.
According to a statement signed by the State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Musa Mwin Tula, he said Christians in the state are worried about the destruction of several lives and properties in the name of politics.
"We are concerned about the use of religion in whatever form to settle personal, group,or ethnic disputes, and hereby condemn such acts by whoever is involved,"he stated
According to Bishop Tula, the pulling down of COCIN church under construction at Sabon Kaura-Yelwa as well as the burning of Assemblies of God Church at Kadama-Yelwa all in Bauchi, the state capital in November this year were serious provocations on Christians.
The chairman enjoined Christians in the state to remain calm, law abiding, and be prayerful in order not to witness such destruction anymore.
Bishop Tula said that based on these unfortunate events, we have declared a 3 day fasting and prayers, calling on all Christians to seek God's intervention to have mercy on us, the wicked, and to heal the land.
He however called on government to reveal those who plan and cause destruction of lives and properties in the state, as well as revisit its security strategies, essentially in addressing religious conflicts and crisis that usually involve Christians and Muslims.
He also urged the leaders in authority to lead by good example,fostering peace, and unity in the state and for Christians to always remember that Jesus Christ is the prince of peace
The statement expressed displeasure over Christians' marginalization concerning government activities while have Muslim partners have always been given due attention with adequate representation in state affairs.
It advised the Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda to put measures that would be taken to forestall future anarchy .
"We appealed to Governor Isa Yuguda to learn from the two crisis that rocked both Yelwa-Shendam and Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State and we want him to put in place security measures that would guarantee peace in the state," it stated
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