Baptist Youths Declares Support for CAN, Asks Members to Fast, Pray

By Our Reporter

Baptist youths under the aegis of the Nigerian Baptist Convention has declared support for the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, directing its members across the country to fast, pray and join the solemn protest against unchecked insecurity in the country.

The group said this in a communique issued after its National Executive Committee meeting held at the First Baptist Church, Jos, Plateau state over the weekend.

The group said that the aim of supporting CAN’s position was to have special fasting and prayer session in order to pray for Nigeria to end the gruesome killings of innocent Nigerians and for the government to develop the capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in a press conference had ealier declared Friday 31st January to 2nd February 2020 as days for “special fasting and prayer for Nigeria in all church, home and abroad, for the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians to stop and for our government to develop the capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation.”

The communique appreciated Nigerian Christians for their steadfastness in the face of persecutions and killings because of their faith while appreciating youths of the Nigerian Baptist Convention for their supports.

The group said:
“We condemn in strongest terms, the brutal, callous and wicked killing of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Rev Lawan Andimi, and killing of Rev Denis Bagauri of Mayo Belwa, Adamawa state, and gruesome murder of a young 200 Level student of the University of Maiduguri, Plateau-born Daypvil Daciya Dalep and several banditry attacks and kidnappings in the country.

The youths queried, “why are the terrorists and herdsmen targets are predominantly Christian communities and Christian leaders?”

The youths demanded a total overhaul of the security architecture of the country beginning with the ‘old, tired, lopsidedly-appointed security heads”.

The communique signed by the National President and the General Secretary of the group, Pastor Onajite Enunuaye and Bro Job Emmanuel respectively questioned the rationale behind the release of the so-called “repentant terrorists” and the mechanism put in place to monitor them after the wasted investment on rehabilitation programme.

The youths demanded prosecution of all alleged terrorists, bandits, and other criminals and stop giving clemency to known criminals while urging the government at all levels to take their first responsibilty of protecting lives and property seriously.

It urged the Federal government to mobilise more men and equipment to areas ravaged by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and criminal herdsmen in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country.

The Special fasting and prayer are scheduled to begin on Friday, January 31, 2020, and end on Sunday, February 2, 2020. The solemn protest is expected to hold on Sunday around the Churches, and Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, facilities, among others.