The Christian Association of Nigeria has said the country will not know
peace until the people of Southern Kaduna and other areas invaded by
Fulani herdsmen in the country have their peace.
The organisation also warned President Muhammadu Buhari against giving
preference to one ethnic group or religion above others, saying such
would portray him as a sectional President.
The President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, stated this during his visit
to Kafanchan, on Thursday to identify with the people of Southern
Kaduna, where he donated relief materials worth N8m to the victims of
the crisis.
He also demanded the reopening of all government institutions shut down
by Governor Nasir el-Rufai due to the ongoing crisis in the southern
part of the state.
Some of the affected institutions are the College of Education, Gidan
Waya; Kaduna State University, Kafanchan campus and the College of
Nursing, Kafanchan.
According to him, if the Kaduna State Government is sincere to its
people, it must ensure that those institutions are opened and adequately
protected.
Ayokunle said, “We came here because we realised what you people are
passing through. We may not have much to give you but we are here to
physically identify with you; to tell you that you are not alone in this
situation.
“Until the people of Southern Kaduna have their peace, Nigeria will not
have peace. It is the duty of government to ensure that peace return to
Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country struggling with Fulani
herdsmen attacks.
“So, peace in Southern Kaduna is a task that must be accomplished. They
must not be deceived; those troubling Southern Kaduna must be brought to
book, they must be prosecuted. Their guns must be taken away and the
source of their weapons identified and prosecuted. If government fails
to prosecute them, they are not sincere. These are the conditions that
government must fulfill.”
While encouraging the people not to lose hope, the CAN President said
they should not think of retaliation but should take their case to God.
Punch