BEYOND PAIN, FEAR AND FURY

BEYOND PAIN, FEAR AND FURY

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

With all the killings and kidnappings in the land, there is anger and pain in the hearts of all lawful citizens. One of the strategies of the terrorists is to cause disaffection and mutual suspicion among Christians and Muslims. The terrorist would want to ignite a religious war. I pray that we do not fall into this trap. Recently, the argument has been the highest number between Christians and Muslims that have been killed and displaced by Boko Haram. This unfortunate comparison is a result of the pronouncements of the terrorists. What can we do? There could be some progress in the effort of protecting life and property if Muslims and Christians jointly take the protest against terrorism as a common concern rather than criticizing the actions of each other in this difficult times. Let Muslims and Christians collaborate with government to secure the life of the citizens. I believe that the government has enough capacity to bring anycriminal to justice.

 

No one can sleep in a room with full awareness that a poisonous snake is hiding in the same room. This is why the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has directed all Christians to observe three days of fasting and prayers for God to save Nigerians especially Christians from the dreaded Boko Haram from January 31 to February 2, 2020. What if all religious adherents should pray against terrorism, kidnapping and all forms of criminal activities now? Dr. Élodie Apard did a study on “The Words of Boko Haram”. She specializes in the study of political processes in Niger and Nigeria and the analysis of cross-border movements, particularly religious flows, between these two countries. She identified Boko Haram as a terrorist group that is fighting “international jihad” from the speeches of Mohammed Yusuf and Abubakar Shekau.  Listening to the speeches which are translated from Hausa and Kanuri, it could be perceived that the words from Boko Haram were powerful enough to threaten the stability of Nigeria’s Federal Government, and that of neighboring countries. “Yusuf started out in the Izala Society movement in the early 2000; he received a theological education inspired by Wahhabism and Salafism. Gradually, Yusuf adopted a very rigid position against government, Democracy, and Western education. Following a voluntary exile in Saudi Arabia, Yusuf returned to Nigeria in 2005 and became a preacher (https://www.cairn-int.info/article-E_AFCO_255_0043--the-words-of-boko-haram.htm).

 

In his preaching, Yusuf denounced corruption, inequalities, excessive violence by the police, the army and against those who acted with impunity. He condemned injustice and this made his recorded sermons from 2006 to circulate very widely in neighboring countries like Niger where he became famous for his aversion to the Western education. Until 2009, the movement was called Yusufiyya, or “Yusuf’s ideology.” He uses verses from the Qur’an and Hadith to urge followers to arm themselves, kill, and take up jihad. He was consistent in condemning oppressive secular government; exploitation of Muslims, promotion of jihad and glorification of martyrdom.After the killing of Yusuf in July 2009, the group was dormant for nearly one year until June 2010, when Abubakar Shekau, appeared in a video message announcing that he would lead the movement. He gave it the official name Jamā’at Ahl al-Sunnah Lidda’awat wa-l-Jihād (Sunni Group for the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad). Abubakar Shekau transformed the group from a religious sect to an armed group. 

 

How do we interpret these messages from Shekau: “We are also against those who pretend to be us and whom they lump together with us so that they can fight us? We will not touch the others.” “We are also against Christians because everyone knows what they’ve done to us and the fate they reserve for Muslims: not once, not twice, but many times, hence our position.” “Everyone knows how they killed our leaders, and everyone knows how they treat us. Everyone knows what they have been doing to Muslim people in this country for some time. For example, in the town of Kaduna, in Zangon Kataf, in the villages, they did many things to the Muslim community of this country, and these things happened without a fight.” “Deceit is unholy, and as Allah says, division is a sin. Everyone knows that democracy is also unholy, that the constitution is unholy, and that many things Allah forbids in the Koran and the hadith are taught in Western schools (https://www.cairn-int.info/article-E_AFCO_255_0043--the-words-of-boko-haram.htm).

 

I believe that the statements from Boko Haram is enough to provoke fear of religious annihilation. In the various kidnappings by Boko Haram, the reason for not releasing the captives has been refusal to convert. Those killed have been alleged to be killed because they refuse to convert. We may not see the fear of the Christians being provoked by any possible plan of the government to wipe out a particular religion. If ever the government contributes to this phobia, it is because the common person relies on the security apparatus of government that ought to be sufficient to secure and protect the citizens. The Muslims too are afraid because many Muslims have been killed and the name of Islam is being abused by the terrorists. The Orthodox Muslims have said loud and clear that Boko Haram is not Islamic. Unfortunately, the terrorists claim to be more faithful Muslims than those who do not carry arms. Real Muslims find it difficult to explain why a person should proclaim Allahu Akbar (God is great) and then go ahead to behead a fellow human being. 

 

Only God knows why Boko Haram has lingered for so long. In as much as the gun cannot kill an ideology, many believe that with committed political will, the Nigerian Army can overrun Boko Haram. We are talking about the Army that has restored peace to Liberia and Sierra-Leon. Yes, the Army that the West African Communities look up to. God forbids that any political or military officer should be an accomplice or enabler of the homicide that is ravaging every corner of the nation especially the North East as it is being speculated in the media! God forbids that any Traditional Ruler or Religious Leader is a sponsor or beneficiary of the genocide that has taken the life of millions of human beings who are created by God to freely live on earth for a purpose! God forbids that any member of the Judiciary is giving cover to this evil to thrive! 

 

The rate of kidnapping and killings are giving rise to so many questions among which are: Is it that those who should protect life and property now lack the capacity to do so? Who are the real beneficiaries and conflict profiteers in this criminal operations? Is all hope in the national security architecture lostto a point that each person and region must resort to self-protection and security?   Beyond the anger and pain that is generating these questions, what do we do or what can we do? I insist that Faithful Muslims and Christians should not turn against each other. We must rather come together to appeal to government to do the needful. Nigerians are dying, let us call criminals by their real name. I do not have all the answers to these questions. So I ask you, what can we do to protect life and property beyond pain, fear and fury!

 

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC -nirec.ng@gmail.com) & The Secretary General of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council (WA-IRC – wairc.rfp@gmail.com).

PRESS RELEASE BY CAN PRESIDENT

TEXT OF A SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN), HIS EMINENCE, DR SAMSON AYOKUNLE AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON 23 JANUARY, 2020 AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, ABUJA. 

Gentlemen of the Press. 

Let me call for a minute silence in honour of all those killed by the Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers in the country. 

“If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels but if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it.” 

― Lemony Snicket

You are all aware of the gruesome murder of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, because he refused to be converted to Islam. Although, the group initially demanded for the sum of N50m and, when against all odds, the ransom was ready, they asked for €2m. It was in the process that they reached out to our people in Adamawa State to notify them that since the gentleman had refused to be converted to Islam, they had decided to behead him. And that was what they did. In the same state, just last Sunday, a clergyman, Rev Denis Bagauri was murdered by unknown gunmen in his residence at Mayo Belwa of Adamawa State, all because he was a Christian. You are also aware of the beheading of 11 Christians by Islamic State in West Africa on Christmas Day of 2019 in Maiduguri including a bride to be. 

Few days ago, four seminarians of the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary in Kakau, were kidnapped along Kaduna-Abuja Road and we have not heard anything about them. In Kaduna State, the most recent happenings were those of 35 people killed and abduction of 58 persons when bandits raided 10 communities in the Chikun and Birnin Gwari Local Government areas on January 13, 2020. These criminals are everywhere operating with impunity and they have been stopping commercial and private vehicles asking them to come down and telling them to say what their religion is. Whoever claims to be a Christian is either killed on the spot or abducted and a demand for a ransom issued. Police, Army officers and even judges are not exempted. This is reprehensible, unacceptable and unprecedented since Nigeria came into being. Christians have become endangered species in their own country! 

Nigeria is under a siege orchestrated by the murderous blood-thirsty and criminally- minded Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani terrorist herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers who are all armed to the teeth, dressed in army uniforms, and gradually overwhelming our security agencies. They have been going around invading predominantly Christian villages and towns, killing and maiming our youths and elders, men and women; raping our women and daughters, decapitating children and disembowelling pregnant women, and subjecting people to coldblooded murder.  Although their atrocities did not begin today, it increased  with the advent of  of democracy, which gave birth to the Sharia Law in some Northern states, an outright violation of the 1999 Constitution. However, the attacks being witnessed under the current administration are unprecedented. Today, the killers are unleashing terror on selected Christian communities, while sometimes our security agencies appear to be looking elsewhere. It is usually after the evil has been done that our soldiers and policemen invade the communities and in many instances, the victims are locked up, while the criminals are left untouched.

From 1980-2019, the Stephanos  Foundation’ record shows a total of 1,785 attacks in 32 states of the country. This led for the death of not less than 28, 878  innocent people.  In 121 Muslim-riots in 19 states, the death of 9, 451 lives were. Also, Boko Haram militant groups were responsible for 701 attacks that claimed 12,812 lives in 15 states. Again, 963 attacks from Fulani Militant groups in 32 states were responsible for 6,615 deaths.  

 The hoodlums have been in Southern Kaduna for years, where hundreds have been killed including a highly placed traditional ruler. And up till today, no one has been brought to book. Instead, it was those who cried out that were subjected to state harassment. A few suspects arrested were later freed to continue with their atrocities. The Fulani herdsmen were in Aghatu land in Benue State and other predominantly Christian communities; killing and maiming their victims.  Mass burials have become the order of the day and to add salt to the injury, it was the Federal Government that was justifying the killings of the citizens by accusing some governors of making laws against open grazing.  They claimed that the killings were not genocide against Christians but farmers- herders' clash. President Muhammadu Buhari has not ceased telling us that the criminals are coming from Libya, as though Nigeria shares borders with Libya. As if that were not enough, the Miyetti Allah the Fulani herdsmen have claimed responsibility for the killings and justifying their actions. In other instances, they disown the killers, telling us that there are other herdsmen who are not their members but who also register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The Federal Government has never deemed it fit to call them to order, but instead insisted that the herdsmen are stakeholders in the country! This emboldens them and their members who are always attacking predominantly Christian communities in Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba and few states in the South like Enugu.  As usual, none of these attackers has been brought to justice to end their atrocities with impunity.

These terrorists have not hidden their goal to Islamize Nigeria and that is what they have in common with the Fulani herdsmen. They have turned the North-East geo-political zone, especially, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, into killing fields. One of the cardinal programmes of this government is to put to an end the menace of insecurity and terrorism, but that has not been done. Although the government often claims to have defeated the terrorists, what we are seeing on daily basis contradicts that claim. Hundreds of our members, including Leah Sharibu and over 120 Chibok girls are still in the custody of these terrorists and the government has not succeeded in releasing them. 

 We are not disputing the fact that some Muslims have been killed. However we boldly state here that their primary targets are Christians. The only exceptions are those who are being killed by the bandits in the North-western states like Zamfara and Katsina. In the words of Carrie Jones, “Losing people you love affects you. It is buried inside of you and becomes this big, deep hole of ache. It doesn't magically go away, even when you stop officially mourning.” 

 It is reprehensible and saddening that each time the government comes out to claim the defeat of the insurgency, more killings of our people are committed. In the light of the current developments and the circumstantial facts surrounding the prevailing upsurge of attacks against the church, it will be difficult for us to believe that the Federal Government under the present  administration is not colluding with the insurgents to exterminate Christians in Nigeria, bearing in mind the very questionable leadership of the security sector that has been skewed towards a religion and region! Is that lop-sidedness not a cover up for the operation of the insurgency? If not, why couldn’t the well-equipped security agents of Nigeria get Rev Andimi out of the captivity of his killers who held him captive for two week.

Please permit me to ask the Federal government the following questions:

• What is the essence of SIM card registration if the authorities cannot use it to track down these killers who rely on phones as a mean of communications to do their criminalities?

• What has become of Intelligence gathering of our security agencies?

• Is this government and the security agencies still claiming that the war against these criminals been won despite all the killings?

• Is the government sincere in fighting these terrorists or merely paying lip service to the war against the insurgency?

• Is there any hope that our security is guaranteed under this government? 

• Can the government tell us what they did since Rev. Andimì cried out to them for help? 

• If the security agencies claim the terrorists are operating outside the country, why is it possible for these hoodlums to invade the country, kill, maim, burn and kidnap without any convincing checks on the part of the security agencies?

• Since the government and its apologists are claiming the killings have no religious undertones, why are the terrorists and herdsmen targeting the predominantly Christian communities and Christian leaders? 

• If the security agencies are not living up to the expectations of the government, why hasn't it overhauled them with a view of injecting new visionaries ones into the security system?

As long as the government continues to live in denial and fail to face the reality, these criminals will not stop their criminalities. We are almost losing hope in government's ability to protect Nigerians especially Christians who have become endangered species under its watch. We once again call on the International community and the developed world like the US, the UK, Germany, Israel and others to please come to our aid of Nigeria, especially, the Nigerian Church so that we might not be eliminated one by one.

OUR DEMANDS: 

• The President  should overhaul the security council with a view of bringing in new heads of all the security agencies and the para-military which no religion or part of the country will dominate. 

• The Federal government should either label the Miyetti Allah Fulani Association a terrorist organisation as being regarded in the terror index.

• The Federal Government should order the arrest of the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Groups in who are sponsoring and perpertuating the crime of Nigeria and prosecute them for all the killings in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states, among others. 

• The Federal Government should publish names of all kingpins of the terrorists who are in detention and those who are being prosecuted.

• The Federal Government should stop releasing the so-called repented terrorists since they are reportedly joining their colleagues in the forest to unleash terror on the land. 

• The Federal Government should reverse the recent controversial Police promotion with a view to balancing religious and ethnic divides in the country. 

• The Federal Government should stop sending delegation to all Islamic international organisations and let our Muslim counterparts be doing so as we are doing in all international Christian religious organisations. 

• The Federal Government should stop discriminating against our female Youth corps who refuse to wear the NYSC trousers for religious reasons since they allow their Muslim counterparts to wear hijab. 

• The victims of the consistent attacks should be assessed and adequately compensated. The victims in various IDPs be provided with adequate security and enough resources for continual survival. 

• It is painful and a betrayal to note that the government gives more attention to so called repentant terrorists than the victims of their evil with the claim that they are being reinstated and rehabilitated,   even into the Nigerian Army.  This is a major contradiction. 

OUR DECISIONS 

The CAN Leadership has declared Friday, 31st January to 2nd February, 2020 as days for Special Fasting and Prayer for Nigeria in all churches, home and abroad, for the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians to stop and for our government to develop capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation. Sunday 2nd February, 2020 is declared a Special Prayer Walk by Christians in all the States of the Federation in the form of a procession to be led by States CAN Chairmen in their CAN Secretariats and pastors of churches in all churches in Nigeria. Churches should process round their area, pray for God’s permanent intervention and help from all over the world so that all of us might not be consumed one by one. It appears our government is completely overwhelmed. Brutality of Nigerians is happening unabated daily. 

All Bloc Leaders, Zonal and States Chairmen, Leaders of Denominations and all Christians and concerned Nigerians should support and come out en-mass for the program. 

The Church is matching on and the gate of hell shall not prevail against it!

A DIRGE FOR MY BELOVED COUNTRY

A DIRGE FOR MY BELOVED COUNTRY

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

Oh God, you remained forever blessed for you are the source of all blessings. You hate evil and no sinner is your guest. From age to age you are victorious in battle. We cry to you like Rachel who weep for her slaughtered children. She refused to be consoled. Her voice could not reach the powers that lacked the capacity to protect her children (Jeremiah 31:15). The rulers of the nation are not touched by the violence that is ravaging the poor. They do not value justice no matter how loud the poor cry in anguish (Job 19:7). Succor the pains of those who weep because human comfort is far from the land. There is no one to revive our courage. Our children are desolate because the enemy has prevailed (Lamentations 1.16). Do not stay afar off and watch the terrorists, kidnappers and impious people revile your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence. Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and the needy praise your name again. Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long(Psalm 74:18-22). 

 

The eyes are spent with weeping as the empty stomach churns. The bile is poured out on the ground because of the destruction of the people. The infants and babes faint in the streets of the city as they cry for food (Lamentations 2:11-12). Human beings are slaughtered and beheaded like sacrificial lambs. Almighty Allah, teach those who use your name in terrorist operations that you are not the God of violence. You are the same God of different tribes and nations who call you Ubangiji, Chineke, Olodumare, Abasi,  Osanobwa, Osenobulua, Osinegba etcetera. Oh God of our fathers! Where are you? Can’t you see that evil has clouded our land and an evil root have taken over the hearts of some people who vow to kill everybody who do not assent to their criminal ideology?

 

Our ancestors taught us that it is you who creates kings to rule over the land. The Holy Books taught us that it is you who sent to the earth prophets to teach us your ways. Jesus Christ came that we may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). The prophet of Islam revealed that if you save one life, it is as if you have saved the whole world and if you kill one person, it is as if you have saved the whole of humanity (Quran 5). Why then do evil people kill in your name? The Catechism teaches that you Oh God created us to know you, love you, serve you and to be happy with you on the last day. It appears that your silence is enabling human beings to be soaked in the ocean of blood. The value of the human person has been reduced to zero and killing a human person has become a game. Oh God arise and scatter the thoughts of the criminals who have invaded your land. We do not pray for their destruction but the destruction of the evil root that has possessed their hearts. Convert them to know that life is sacred!

 

Oh God of divine protection, the kidnappers have over-run the land. Kings, Priests, Consecrated Women and those who have no political security are kidnapped for ransom. Human beings are used for rituals and money has become a deity. Our Seminarians and many others are languishing in the dens of the kidnappers. On the evening of January 8, 2020 in the “Good Shepherd of Kakau” Major Seminary along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, a village located near Kaduna, the capital of the State of Kaduna, in central Nigeria, between 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm some bandits attacked the Seminary, firing indiscriminately. The attack lasted about thirty minutes and the bandits “had access to the school dormitory, which houses 268 students”. Touch the heart of their evil captors to release them Lord. Let them not be killed like they beheaded our dear brother, Reverend LawanAndimi, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area and the District Church Council Secretary of the Ecclesiya Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Church in Michika, Adamawa State. 

 

Lord God, blood is flowing in Nigeria like a river. Grant eternal rest to all who have been killed especially those who were killed while over a hundred people kidnapped after gunmen opened fire on commuters along Kaduna-Zaria Highway recently. Thanks for saving the Emir of Potiskum, Umar Bubaram who was among those who sustained severe injuries in the warfare on Nigerian highways! At this point, some Prophets have told us who will win elections but have not yet prophesied how long this suffering will last. The security apparatus has broken down and every state is raising hunters to secure the innocent people in their lands. Our version of democracy has shown the greed and selfishness of those who aspire to rule over the people in a land where life has lost value. We now see the emptiness of those who seek political office who are only loyal to those in power. Political prostitution is rampart as aspirants of political offices decamp from one party to the other without sense of shame. Rescue your land and save your people. In this time of Armageddon, we cannot cry to the security agents who are also victims and vulnerable like every one of us. 

 

If the gallant soldiers could be killed by the terrorists, then what is the hope of the armless person? If a Police officer could remove his police uniform at the sight of hoodlums, to whom shall we go for safety? This is why we are crying to you who is able to arise and scatter the thoughts and powers of the enemies. Save your people from the hands of bandits, unknown gunmen who could also be those paid to secure life of the innocent people. Lord deliver Nigeria from the abyss of hell and make our land habitable again. How can we repay the unknown soldiers and all security agents who have sacrificed their lives for the nation? The gallant men and women in uniform who keep awake so that the common man and woman can sleep. Is it enough to remember them on Armed forces remembrance day with a wreath? Of what use is a flower to a widow and orphan who are dying of hunger? The families of those who have died in the hands of terrorists and civil war to keep Nigeria one need more care than a wreath of flowers. 

 

Oh God give to our soldiers and police the grace and capacity to carry out their duties with unity of purpose for the common person in the nation. Teach them not to betray the nation by aiding criminals. It is alleged that His Royal Highness (HRH), Godwin Aigbe Esq the Enogie of Ukiri, near Benin City Edo State and a retired CSP in the Police force was kidnapped, maimed, released and later attacked again. The kidnappers were arrested by the Edo State Police Command through intelligencegathering. Some men who claimed to be police officers from Abuja came to release them despite protestation from the Edo State Police Command. Like the deer yearns for running waters, so we long for you, O God. We thirst for God, for the living God. When shall we come and behold the face of God? Tears have been our food day and night, while people say to us continually, "Where is your God?" These things we remember, as we pour out our soul: how we went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God every Sunday and Friday. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for we shall again praise him, our help and our God (Psalm 42:1-6).

 

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC -nirec.ng@gmail.com) & The Secretary General of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council (WA-IRC – wairc.rfp@gmail.com).