Northern Christian elders condemn Taraba killing, urge sustained prayers

The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) Sunday lamented the growing insecurity situation in Northern parts of Nigeria, and solicit for sustained prayers to end the attacks and killings.

NOSCEF also condemned the ongoing crisis between the Jukun and Tiv ethnic nationalities that has resulted to killing of two students and a staff of the Federal University of Wukari in Taraba state.

The forum made their feelings known at the presentation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the six affected local government areas of herdsmen attack including Agatu, Kwande, Makurdi, Ukum and Guma.

Speaking at the event, the state chairman of NOSCEF, Professpr Peter Agogo said urgent steps need to be taken to end the insecurity to enable the IDPs return to their ancestral homes.

“It is our prayer that the crises should stop so that the people can go back to their ancestral homes, where they truly belong,” he added. 

Professor Agogo applauded the efforts of Governor Samuel Ortom in ensuring that the perennial crisis is nipped in the bud for the return of enduring peace in the state.

The state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Akpen Leva, while also lamenting over the killings in the region, commended the National leadership of NOSCEF for donating assorted relief materials to cushion the sufferings of IDPs wallowing in penury in the camps.

Rev. Leva appealed to the federal government to fulfil its promise of settling the displaced victims to facilitate the safe return home of the IDPs who have lived in camps since January 2018.

He said NOSCEF is made up of credible Christians who have the passion for people in need, and called for concerted prayers for the people, saying citizens of the state have been living under siege a development he said called for greater concern of all.

National Security Officer of NOSCEF, Engr. Sule Kilang, condemned recent kidnapping and killing of Christians, and expressed regrets that people in authority and continued to keep mute over the matter.

The items donated included 65 cartons of Minimie Noddles, 36 bags of rice, 19 bags of Dangote salt, 18 cartons of chicken flavour (Maggi) and 30 cartons of detergents among others.