Boko Haram is Jihad on Christians – CAN

NIGERIA Christians under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Wednesday described the Christmas Day terrorists attacks on Christians and churches in Madalla, Jos, Damaturu and Maiduguri as a declaration of Islamic Jihad on Christians.
The leadership of CAN led by its President, Ayo Oritshejafor, in a prepared speech at a meeting last night with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, blamed the attacks on Islamic, religious and traditional rulers for not publicly condemning the activities of the sect adding that its members may have no other option than to fight back when attacked.
President Jonathan, in his response, however, called for calm, assuring that government was on top of the situation as some arrests have been made and they will soon be prosecuted.
While revealing that countries facing similar attacks have offered help to Nigerians, he revealed plans to restructure and re-adjust his team that will meet with the challenges facing the nation today.
The CAN president who declared that they have lost confidence in government’s ability to protect Christians in the country, however, assured President Jonathan of CAN’s continuous prayers and support for his government to succeed.

President Goodluck Jonathan with Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor during the meeting,Wednesday night at the State House Abuja.

The CAN prepared text reads: “After consultation with Christian community which constitutes the majority of the Nigerian population. I have been mandated to convey as follows:
“The Christian community in Nigeria is deeply sorrowed over the detoriating state of insecurity in the  country and apparent inability of the government to protect and guarantee lives, churches and properties of our members. Our hearts especially goes out to the bereaved families of the 2011 Christmas Day bombings at Madalla, Jos, Damaturu and Maiduguri where over 50 christian faithful have reported to have been killed through the most recent attacks.

“The concern of the Christian Community is further heightened by the admittance by government itself that it has knowledge of the perpetrators of these crimes, unfortunately there are no convincing high profile arrest to assuage public anxiety over this matter.
“Having reviewed the pattern, trend and frequency with which these terror crimes occur, it fits into the profile of Islamic Jihad over the years on the christian community, which properly are contextualised. It is considered as a declaration of war on Christians
and Nigeria as an entity.
“The Christian community has found the responses of the Supreme Council for Islamic affairs and other Islamic bodies on this matter to be unacceptable and abdication of their responsibilities over their extremist members. It is on record that most religious, traditional and political leaders in the North have not come out openly to condemn the extremist activities of Boko Haram, we hold them responsible for what is happening, because they have not taken concrete steps to check the excesses of their members.
“The Christian Community is fast loosing confidence in government’s ability to protect our rights to religious liberties and life. The consensus is that the Christian community nationwide would be left with no other option than to respond appropriately if there are any further attacks on our members, churches and properties. We wish to reassure Mr. President of our continued support and prayers for the success of his government. Thank you, God bless you and bless Nigerians”.

Source: Vanguard