The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned a viral video during which a younger man is seen main a gaggle of boys in chants calling for the usage of AK-47 rifles to assault Christians in Enugu and Jos throughout Sunday worship.
CAN described the threats as “chilling and utterly unacceptable,” urging safety businesses to analyze the video urgently, determine these concerned and produce anybody discovered culpable to justice.
In a press release signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on behalf of the affiliation’s nationwide management, CAN mentioned no Nigerian ought to be made to concern for his or her life due to their religion or for gathering to worship.
The affiliation mentioned the threats shouldn’t be dismissed as mere chants or youthful exuberance, stressing that they required pressing consideration and decisive motion.
CAN expressed explicit concern over the obvious involvement of kids and younger individuals within the chants, warning that their publicity to messages selling hatred and violence in opposition to individuals of one other religion raised severe considerations.
The Christian physique referred to as on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and different related safety businesses to launch an intensive investigation to find out when and the place the video was recorded, determine these concerned and set up who organised or facilitated the exercise.
It additionally urged the authorities to find out whether or not any people or teams inspired, financed or facilitated the threats, insisting that anybody discovered accountable ought to face the total penalties of the regulation.
CAN additional referred to as on safety businesses to evaluate any credible safety threats arising from the video and take acceptable measures to guard Christian communities and locations of worship in Enugu, Jos and different elements of the nation.
The affiliation famous the reported disavowal of the video by the management of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS). Still, it mentioned the denial shouldn’t substitute for an impartial investigation.
“Religious leaders across Nigeria also have a responsibility to reject, unequivocally, any teaching, slogan or activity that promotes hatred or violence against people of another faith,” CAN mentioned.
It urged spiritual leaders to make sure that younger individuals had been taught to respect human life and the dignity of others slightly than regard fellow residents as enemies due to their spiritual beliefs.
CAN warned that Nigeria had endured an excessive amount of violence, bloodshed and mistrust to deal with threats of spiritual violence frivolously, saying failure to behave might create the impression that threats in opposition to residents on spiritual grounds could possibly be made with impunity.
The affiliation, nevertheless, urged Christians to stay calm, vigilant and law-abiding whereas the authorities examine the matter, warning in opposition to retaliatory actions that would additional deepen spiritual and social tensions.
“CAN stands for justice, religious freedom and peaceful coexistence,” Okoh mentioned, stressing that each Nigerian, no matter spiritual affiliation, was entitled to equal safety below the regulation.
The affiliation referred to as on the federal government to behave swiftly, examine the matter totally and maintain these accountable accountable, declaring that the security of Nigerians and freedom to worship mustn’t ever be negotiable.
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