Christians In Osun Join Protest Against Killings, Insurgency In Nigeria

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Members of the Baptist Church in Osun State on Sunday joined their counterparts across the country to stage a peaceful protest against the killings and insurgency in some part of the country, calling on President Mohammed Buhari to urgently find lasting solution to the barbaric acts.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions such as; ” This Government Should Allow Peace To Reign”, “Free The Remaining Chibok Girls”, “These Killings Must Stop”, “Security Agencies Be Alive To Your Work”, “Free Leah Sharibu” among others, they thronged the popular Jaleoyemi/Olaiya Junction in Osogbo.

Pastor Femi Abiola of the Calvary Baptist Church, Osogbo, who led other church members to stage the protest said, the protest was needful so that the world will know the challenges Nigerian Christians are currently experiencing in the hands of insurgents/herdsmen.

Abiola who bemoaned the perpetual killings of innocent Christians and kidnapping of their children in some parts of the country, said that the Federal government should arise and do something about it.

“We are all aware of what has been happening in recent time in Benue State, where some people were worshipping their God and two Priests were murdered by some fundamentalists probably in the name of religion.

“We are also aware of the kidnapping of innocent children , our daughters and when other were released, one was never released because she refused to deny her faith.

“There are cases of killings here and there, innocent Christians have been massacred now and then. There should be a stop to these killings and irresponsible act on the part of some people.

“Our President should act, the security agencies should do something about it. The church of God is calling attention of the governments to this fact that they must not sit down and watch us being slaughtered like ordinary animals, it’s wrong, it’s not good.

“We are calling on our leaders both at the National level and state levels as well as local levels to arise and do something. There should be freedom of religion, there are other issues we should fight against collectively, such problems as; bad roads, unemployment, problem of corruption among other issues.” he said

The cleric therefore urged the Federal government led to strengthen security and bring the perpetrators of the inhumane acts to book, saying there should be freedom of religion.

Echoing a similar view, Pastor Olamide Kehinde, Union Baptist Church, Osogbo said Christians were not happy with the continuous security challenges which Nigerian security operatives have not been able to adequately handle.

Recall that CAC President, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle had urged Christians to hold peaceful protest against the killing by suspected herdsmen across the country.

He also asked them to observe a day mourning in honour of the two Roman Catholic Church priests, Rev. Fathers Felix Tyolaha and Joseph Gor, who were killed along with 17 parishioners in Benue State last week.