By KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
Away from the usual rhetoric of condemning the recent genocidal attacks on Plateau and Adamawa states, the United Church of Christ in Nations known as HEKAN has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to immediately arrest leaders of the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for justifying the attacks.
HEKAN in a statement by its President, Reverend Amos G. Kiri, made available to newsmen in Wednesday, wondered why the lives of cattle are being preferred to that of fellow humans by MACBAN
“The condemnation of these attacks by the security operatives mandated to protect the lives of the citizens is not enough.
“The culprits should be arrested, prosecuted in a competent court of law and allow the law of the land to take its cause.
“The arrest should start with the Miyetti Allah leadership who has owned up the attacks by their unguarded statement,” it stated.
HEKAN condemned in totality the killing of innocent citizens by suspected Fulani militia last week in Dowaya and Bare communities of Numan Local Government of Adamawa State and the most recent in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South local government areas of Plateau state
The statement described as senseless and inhuman the attacks, which were said to have resulted in the death of over 200 people, leaving scores injured and property destroyed, adding that it is unacceptable and most stop.
Reverend Amos Kiri called on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the entire nation’s security chiefs for their inability to adequately curtail gruesome murder that has been going on in many parts of this country, while urging the Federal government to step up security measures in order to end the wanton killing of innocent citizens and destruction of properties across the country
HEKAN Church also condemned the statement credited to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) that the attack was retaliatory for the killing of cattle.
“This leaves one to wonder when the life of an animal, a cow for that matter becomes more valuable than a human life in Nigeria.
“The recent attacks by suspected Herdsmen in Adamawa and Plateau states and other vulnerable states is an attempt to break our renewed bond of friendship that cuts across religious and ethnic lines and to also disrupt the peace enjoyed by all in the affected states”
“As a Church, with one voice we condemn in strong terms this horrible and gruesome murder of innocent men, women and children who went about their normal and routine business of seeking just and honest means of livelihood, Government must raise to its responsibility of protecting lives and Property irrespective of any differences”
“The killings in Numan, Numan Local Government of Adamawa state it has left much to be desired due to its frequent reoccurrences. We are saddened that up to now no person has been taken to court for this killings
“We believe there will never be any justifiable reason for such attack and violence on innocent citizens. We believe and see this as another attempt to further break down the trust and confidence amongst communities of the two states and a deliberate desire to sow a seed of discord in the hearts of citizens of these communities and the nation as a whole.
“HEKAN Church commend and appreciate the resilience of the attacked communities who did not give rooms to disorderliness, reprisal attacks and violence to excel as the perpetrators have so wished.
“We want to use this medium to call on the Federal government to as a matter of urgency, order a coordinated air raid and ground attack on these identified soft sports around the country, especially in places like Adamawa, Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Zamfara and Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state to get rid of these criminals and other crime related persons from their hide outs,” it added.
Reverend Amos Kiri further assured that as a church, HEKAN will continue to preach, work and pray for a peaceful and just Plateau, Adamawa and Nigeria in as a whole.