The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, has condemned in strong terms the action of the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai for offering money to Fulani herdsmen for a ceasefire in the southern part of the state.
Rising from its council meeting in Kaduna, CAN State Chairman, Bishop George Jonathan Dodo, asked whether the money offered to herdsmen was a reward for destroying lives and properties.
He wondered why government should stoop so low as to beg the herdsmen to discontinue their actions.
Dodo said, “If it is true that the government was able to identify those responsible for the actions and even offered them money for a ceasefire, what will happen after the herdsmen finish the money and run out of funds.
“How much has the government given to the people who are displaced to re-enable them re-build their houses that were destroyed, and treat the injured in hospitals so that they can come back?”
He said the governor had the responsibility to investigate “the source of these ammunitions, who are these people, where are they from, their identities and their mission.”
He said CAN as a body was worried over the killings and burning of residential houses, farmlands in Southern Kaduna.
According to him, such act was deserving of condemnation in all ramifications and “it leaves one wondering whether it is insanity that is actually at play or total lack of respect for the sacredness of human life or dignity of human life.”
While appealing to Christians in Kaduna State to rise up to the challenge and do what is necessary to help the affected people who have been at the receiving end, he called on government to extend a helping hand to CAN.
“Is offering them money supposed to be a reward for destroying lives? Or is government simply stooping so low as to beg them to discontinue their actions?
“What happens after they finish this money and they run short of funds? Is government going to give them money again?
“We, as a body indeed condemn this act of wanton destruction of lives and property. We understand the government of Kaduna State through the offices of His Excellency, the Governor and his Deputy has visited some of these places to see things for themselves.
“We want to call on government to do all that is necessary to ensure this unhealthy development in our human relation comes to an end.
“It is important for us to realize that this act of wanton destruction can easily be read to mean a religious-ethnic cleansing genocide exercise.
“I want to bring this to the knowledge of the public that this is the feelings of the people, which we are concerned, worried and we wonder whether this is part of the dividend of democracy that the present government has for the electorate in this part of the state and also this part of the country.
“We visited Kauru Local Government Area, precisely, Chawai land and we were able to meet some of the displaced persons who gave us a vivid account of things that happened.
“In their area, 46 people died; 9 people were injured and are in hospitals; houses that were burnt stood at 67; we were told one Catholic Church was partially burnt and ECWA Church was completely razed down.
“It was more worrisome to us that even their farmlands where crops are yet to be harvested were set ablaze by the invading herdsmen.
“Jema’a Local Government Area where Godogodo has also been at the receiving end is another gory story.
“We were given pictures that the forest which is the valley area between Kafanchan and Godogodo has now been taken over by the criminal elements responsible for this wanton destruction of lives and property.
“It’s our hope and prayer that those who have died because of their faith and have joined the ranks of martyrs, God will grant them eternal reward,” the State CAN Chairman said.
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