The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has expressed dismay and frowned at the high levels of insecurity in Nigeria through banditry, kidnappings for ransom, incessant killings of innocent citizens by unknown gunmen, and the destruction of lives and properties with impunity by terrorists.
The Church, in a Communique issued at the end of its 71st General Church Council meeting, held its headquarters in the International Conference Hall in Jos, Plateau State, and read by its President, Rev. Dr Baba Panya said the insecurity has resulted in the continued disarray of the Nigerian nation and the near total collapse of the economy, thereby leaving Nigerians in helpless hardship.
It commended the effort of the Nigerian military and other security agencies for risking their lives in the course of fighting against terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of insecurity and condoled the families of the security personnel and other Nigerians who lost their loved ones in the course of defending the nation.
The Church further expressed its dissatisfaction over the non-release of the remaining 90 Chibok school girls who, by Monday, April 15, 2024, had spent 10 years in captivity, including Leah Sharibu and others, without obvious efforts by the government to rescue the innocent children.
” We therefore call on all tiers of Nigerian government and international bodies to kindly ensure the release of these children without further delay.”
The Council also expressed dismay over the unprovoked barbaric attacks by unknown gunmen on innocent citizens in some parts of the country, particularly the unfortunate 2023 Christmas Eve attack in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi as well as other attacks in Mangu, Wase and Riyom in Plateau State and others where many lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
It decried the failure of the government to carry out its constitutional responsibility of securing the lives and properties of the citizens, despite the huge amount being spent on security.
“While the Council acknowledged the support of the government to the affected communities, we call on the government to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and measures are put in place to prevent future occurrences.
“The Council expressed satisfaction over the magnanimous support of relief materials provided to the affected communities by ECWA Executive on behalf of ECWA and further called on other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as well-meaning Nigerians to support such communities,” said the Council.
On food security, the Council noted with immense concern the biting hunger among citizens as a result of a shortage of food supply due to persistent insecurity of all kinds that paralysed the activities of rural farmers and urged the federal and state governments to urgently act decisively to put in measures that will checkmate the insecurity and ensure rural farmers resume their farming activities.
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