The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called on the Federal Government to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the release of the chairman of CAN, Nasarawa State, Bishop Joseph Masin.
Masin was kidnapped on Wednesday night by some gunmen who stormed his residence in Bukan-Sidi, Lafia metropolis, and are demanding N20 million ransom.
“Since we have no Police of our own and we are trying as much as possible to avoid chaotic situations, we are placing a demand on the Federal Government and the Nasarawa State Government to ensure the safety and immediate release of Bishop Masin before it is too late.
“We will not accept losing another state chairman like we lost the late CAN Chairman, Rev. Lawan Andimi, in Adamawa State, who was gruesomely murdered by terrorists while our security agencies appeared powerless, helpless and de-robed of their armour,” CAN warned in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola.
It added: “It is disheartening, disappointing, and reprehensible, how terrorists, herdsmen, kidnappers and bandits have been operating in the country, killing and maiming innocent citizens unabated. This is totally unacceptable and demeaning to the prowess of this great country which is generally styled as the Giant of Africa. It is only in Nigeria that we are having mass burials when we are not in a civil war. This kind of non-responsive situation can easily lead to a breakdown of law and order and must be consciously avoided by a positive responsiveness of our leaders.”
The Christian group said just a few days ago, some hoodlums in the guise of Fulani herdsmen invaded some predominantly Christian communities in Kaduna State, killing the innocent people and up till now, no one had been brought to book.
It said everyone knew that it was the primary responsibility of government anywhere in the world to protect the lives and property of its citizens, but that had become history in Nigeria.
CAN said in view of the developments, government should ensure:
- Immediate release of Bishop Joseph Masin from his captors.
- Immediate release of Leah Sharibu and all Nigerians in the captivity of terrorists and kidnappers.
- Immediate and permanent end of the ongoing genocide in Southern Kaduna and other states in the country where similar detestable crimes are ongoing.
“Finally, we pray that the Almighty God will deliver Bishop Joseph Masin completely, uphold members of his family, strengthen the entire Christian community and protect the nation from evil and its perpetrators,” CAN said.
