Plateau Christians are now Boko Haram Targets – CAN Youth Chairman, Kanda

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, YOWICAN, Plateau state Chapter has alleged that “Christians of Plateau extraction” are now targets of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents saying that the threats of the group should not be taken lightly.

The group in a press conference condemned the killings of CAN chairman, Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Rev Lawan Indimi; Lawrence Dacighir and Godfrey Ali Shikagham from Kumbun District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state and most recently, Ropvil Dachiya Dapel, a 200 level student of University of Maiduguri.

YOWICAN reminded the government of abductions of Christian girls and youths including the yet to be released over a hundred Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, a health worker from Kanam in Plateau state, Bashiru Abdulhamid and a 100 level student of University of Maiduguri, Lilian Gyang and many others in the monstrous terrorists captivity.

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, YOWICAN, Chairman, Pharmacist Markus Kanda Audu said that “the threat of a continuation in this line of religious and ethnic genocide” led to killing of Ropvil and must be taken serious.

“The video, just like that of the murder of Lawrence and Godfrey was released with the threat to continue the killing of Christians especially from Plateau state. We do not see this as an empty threat. So far, we have lost at least three vibrant young men to this group”.

YOWICAN called on the Plateau State House of Assembly to set aside a day as public holiday to be called Plateau Martyrs Day to remember slain victims.

The group called on, “The President for a complete overhaul of Service Chiefs and a National balance both by region and religious persuation of the Nation’s Security achitecture; All legislators who truly value the lives of Nigerians to take more proactive steps and ensure the decimation of not only this group but every terror Organisation in the Country; Plateau State House of Assembly to set aside a day as public holiday to be called PLATEAU MATYRS DAY in remembrance of ALL the slain victims of various terror attacks; The Plateau State Government to make arrangements with other Universities in the Nation, particularly the higher institutions on the Plateau, where the lives of Plateau Youths are relatively safer for the purposes of admission and inter-University transfers; The Plateau State Government should work to ensure the redeployment of Youth Corps members of Plateau extraction who are within the operational areas of this blood thirsty group, to states where their safety can be guaranteed; and The United Nations and other members of the International Community to, as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the Nigerian people especially the primary targets of these terror attacks, who are Christians.

Audu said that the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) Plateau State Chapter, “supports the positon of our National Parent body (CAN National) in condeming this dastardly act. We also applaud the united action of all well meaning Nigerians from all States of the Federation and in diaspora against this evil. We must continue to denounce and work towards the elimination of all blood thirsty groups in the nation using religious and ethnic colouration to perpetuate their evil acts and divide the Nigerian people. Our failure to decisively deal with this evil is an abuse on our constitution, the National anthem/pledge and the sacrifices of our heroes past who gave their all to bequeath to us a Nation.”

The youths equally condemned recent attacks on communities in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State that has led to lost of lives and properties.

“Above all, we implore all Nigerians, especially those from Plateau State as they travel around the North East to be gentle as doves but wise as serpents. We implore all peace loving Nigerians to be calm, prayerful and law abiding as we go about our legitimate endeavours.”