The words were few but their impact has continued to reverberate. At last many consider that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has broken his 'silence' over the issue of attacks on Christians by members of the Boko Haram.Their last deadly attack that appeared to have been targeted at Christians was the December 25, 2011 bombing of a catholic church at Madala area of Niger state. At least 48 people lost their lives in that incident which has come to be tagged 'Christmas Day Bombing' although the deadly group was to later carry out a more devastating attack on the predominantly Islamic city of Kano where about 200 people also lost their lives.After the 'Christmas Day Bombing', the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor came out strong not only to condemn the incident but also to ask that Christians begin to defend themselves wherever they are against future attacks. The comment was seen as call to arms against the Boko Haram group or by extension against Muslims given the unsavoury experience of many Christians in Muslim communities particularly in the northern part. For this the fiery was roundly condemned by many both in spiritual and political settings.But last Saturday, Pastor Adeboye spoke on the issue. In a short comment posted on his Facebook wall, the renowned preacher said: 'We are not allowed to burn mosques or kill people of other religious beliefs but d Bible says we are allowed 2 DEFEND ourselves/churches/homes. "Be gentle as a Dove but Wise as a Serpent'.Reactions to the statement have been widespread and diverse. Some see it as justifying the position of Oritjesafor, and thus a sort of Riot Act to members of the Boko Haram to stop attacking Christians, in line with the resolve of Christian leaders in the North during a recent meeting where they reportedly directed their members to defend themselves although they also vowed not to attack anyone. There are also those who see the comment by Adeboye as a subtle admonition to believers against embarking on physical combat.Comments on the statement was still growing as at the time of filing this report while the respected cleric has also not 'clarified' the statement.Meanwhile, the Kogi state Chairman of CAN Rt. Reverend Emmanuel Egbunu has defended Oritsejafor over the statement credited to the CAN President against the appointment of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Dikko Abubakar, based on the report of the commission of inquiry into the Jos crisis. Egbunu, in a chat with newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, explained that Oritsejafor has nothing personal against the new Inspector General of Police.The Chairman who disclosed this while reacting to newspaper reported credited to one pastor James Obamoh over the CAN president statement over appointment of IGP in a chat with newsmen in Lokoja, the Kogi state Capital, stated that the position of the President as a leader of national CAN is to draw the attention of the Federal Government of the day to the sensibilities of the Christians concerning some one who had been indicted by a competent federal government panel headed by Niki Tobi.Egbunu stated that Kogi State chapter of CAN believed that the statement of Pastor Ayo Oristerjafor is a caution of a responsible leader. Who believes in sounding the alarm when the government's attention need be drawn to the security risk."We dissociate ourselves from the statement by One Pastor Obamoh who is not an office holder at any level of CAN in the state and so can not be speaking for us directly and indirectly. He has constitutional right of freedom of expression, but should take responsibility for his utterances".He noted that the appointment of the Inspector General of Police at such a delicate time as this when the serious security challenges are at stake, stressing that the records reflect the opinions of the citizens must be taken in to consideration rather than narrow views of friendship.
Click here to read full news..
