SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, (THEWILL) –The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Thursday said it received with shock and dismay the sad news of Wednesday’s twin bomb explosions in Kaduna State and that of Kano on Thursday in which many lives were lost, others injured and property worth huge sums destroyed.
A statement issued Thursday by CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the attack, coming almost at the climax of the holy month of Ramadan is a clear indication of the perpetrators’ inclination to evil and disregard for the true God and all that are linked to him.
“CAN condemns in strong terms the continuation of attacks targeted at high profile Nigerians and revered clerics, who hitherto should be the moral compass for society’s transformation.
“It is also regretful that such an incident is happening in our communities at this time especially when all faithful are in search for genuine reconciliation with their God and seek peaceful co-existence with their neighbours,” the statement said.
Pastor Oritsejafor, therefore, on behalf of the Christian community in Nigeria, commiserated with all those who lost loved ones or suffered one form of mishap or the other in the incidents.
“I however thank God for saving the lives of two prominent Nigerians, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and an Islamic Cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, in the bomb attacks.
“This again, is an evidence that God is greater than the perpetrators of these acts and a confirmation that the bombers and their sponsors have a twisted understanding of religion.
“I urge all Nigerians never to be dissuaded by these acts of evil and terror on our people, no doubt the impact created by these acts are painful but giving in at this time will even be more dreadful for our people,” he said.
The CAN President also urged all Nigerians in the spirit of the season (Ramadan) to keep faith with the relevant authorities, saying rather than tremble in fear, “let us all support all relevant agencies of government and our community leaders to fight these terrorists to a stand still,” stressing “clearly our nation is being pushed to the wall and we can no longer watch in fear.”
Oritsejafor also reminded all Christian faithful of the popular verse in the Bible which admonishes not to fear him who can kill the body but cannot destroy the soul, but to rather fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
“Let us not allow the spirit of the evil ones kill our collective dream of making Nigeria a great nation, the attacks such as the one in Kaduna should rather strengthen our resolve to stamp out terrorism from our land.
“Like I have always said, there is no way darkness with prevail over light, this should be our greatest consolation,” he stated.
He therefore called on all Nigerians to keep praying steadfastly for the leaders and soldiers in battle, saying “this is a battle that we ought to win and must win.”
According to Oritsejafor, “CAN mourns with the bereaved and thanks God for sparing the lives of the survivors, we will continue to pray for the success of the counter-terrorism war and for a better and peaceful Nigeria.”
About the Author
