CAN Mourns Slain Priests, Demands Release of Abducted Pastor’s Wife

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has mourned slain priests, Rev. Fr Michael Akawu and Rev. Hosea Akuchi who were killed by some unknown gunmen in Abuja and Kaduna State respectively while demanding immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped wife of the latter, Mrs. Talatu Akuchi.

CAN in a statement released today signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant, Media and Communications, to CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle called on the Police to arrest all assailants that are responsible for the dastardly acts.

According to the statement, “The late Priest, Rev. Fr Michael Akawu, who was reportedly shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen in Gwagwalada, Abuja, while shopping Saturday evening was an Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish, Dobi village near Gwagwalada”.

“Few hours later, on Sunday, 21st August, 2018, at about 1.00am, according to informed sources, some hoodlums suspected to be Fulani terrorists attacked Nasara Baptist Church in Guguwa near Rigasa in Kaduna shot Rev. Hosea Akuchi dead and took away his wife Talatu Akuchi”, the statement read.

The Christian body called on the Nigerian Police and other relevant security agencies to do whatever it takes to bring the culprits to book and rescue the widow of the late Rev Akuchi “as soon as practicable” while urging security agencies to be proactive. The abductors of the widow have demanded a five million Naira ransoms.

Pastor Oladeji said, “Nigeria’s security situation is reprehensible, unacceptable and condemnable. We once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig the security system of the country. Let there be a visible improvement in our security system, as the governed are not satisfied with their performances in ensuring security of lives and property”.