Crisis as Christians attack El-Rufai over killings in Southern Kaduna
- Christians in Southern Kaduna have lashed out at Governor Nasir El-Rufai
- The Christians under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), say El-Rufai must be held responsible for the killings in the state
- CAN says El-Rufai has folded his arms and is just watching, as Christians are slain in Kaduna
Following fears that the crisis in Southern Kaduna might escalate, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in the 17 Southern states, lashed out at Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday, January 11.
Daily Post reports that secretary of CAN in the region, Dr Joseph Aka Ajujungwa, who spoke alongside the Chairman of CAN in the South-East, Most. Rev. Prof. David Eberechukwu, in separate press statements, declared that the group was holding El-Rufai responsible for the murder of hundreds of Christians in Kaduna state.
Crisis as Christians attack Governor El-Rufai, accuse him of involvement in Southern Kaduna killings
They said it was regrettable that the Governor, who took oath of office to protect lives and properties in the State was now looking the other way while residents of the Southern Kaduna were being murdered.
“The nonsensical killings in the Southern Kaduna cannot be justified in whatever way and as such the CAN is holding Governor El-Rufai responsible for the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen in the area.
“How can the Chief security officer of the State watch Christians die in their number even at a time he placed curfew on them? This is why we hold him responsible for the killings.
“It is even more surprising that at this point when we should be talking of solutions, some Muslim groups are busy attacking Christian leaders and calling for their arrest merely because they spoke out against these barbaric killings.
“The Governors in the Southern region made concerted efforts, which saw to the end of the violent activities of these herdsmen but in the case of Kaduna State, El-Rufai’s body language is questionable,” they noted.
CAN alleged that the development was “a subtle way to kill all the Christians in Kaduna State. We have seen it as a way of using the Funali herdsmen to destroy the Christian foundation in Kaduna and Nigeria in general.
They called on President Muhammadu Buhari “to quickly intervene in the on-going killings by taking decisive action before the situation gets out of control.
“We want to make it clear that no matter the level of intimidation, the CAN would not fold its hands and watch this atrocity continue. We won’t be coerced into keeping quiet while our members are being mowed down in thousands.
“We, therefore, call on Christians and the good people of Nigeria to be vigilant and watchful so that these herdsmen will not take them unawares any longer.”
Meanwhile, the council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna state has demanded the arrest and prosecution of the president of CAN and others for the alleged escalation of the mayhem in Southern Kaduna.
The Imams insisted that the attacks on some villages in the area were heightened through inflammatory and false statements by those who they want arrested.
Vanguard reports that the Imams, at a press conference in Kaduna addressed by their chairman, Sheik Abubakar Babantune and secretary, Aminu Ibrahim, demanded that those to be arrested should include Rev Zacahriah Gado of 19 DCC Fellowship, the CAN president, Samson Ayokunle, CAN secretary-general Musa Asake, John Danfulani, and Solomon Musa, SOKAPU president.
In a similar vein, CAN described the call by the council of Imams as a brood of hypocrites, stressing that the Council of Imams' demand was ‘surprisingly shameless.