Methodist Church tasks FG on insecurity, unemployment, others

Cleric, group ask govt to stop B’Haram, unravel sponsors of terrorism
The Methodist Church of Nigeria yesterday asked the Federal Government to redouble efforts in tackling insecurity in the country with a view to securing the lives and property of Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs.

It expressed concern that the situation has become an embarrassment to Nigerians, hence, the need for government to do a lot more towards ending widespread killings, kidnappings, banditry and other crimes.

The Bishop, Diocese of Lagos Central, Samuel Nortey, stated this while addressing journalists on the 10th anniversary of the Church in
Lagos, adding that unemployment was another monster that must be tamed if the country must move forward.

He specifically condemned the killings and kidnappings, which he said, had affected some of its members and clergy in recent times.

“The Methodist Church Nigeria and this Diocese condemned in the strongest terms the insecurity and lack of peace in this nation. We condemn this because it is not just in the North, West or South. We are unhappy with the situation of things in this country.

“Federal Government needs to do more until it finds a lasting solution to insecurity. Until the government secures every Nigerian, it will be as if they haven’t done anything.

“The first thing we expect from government is to secure us and if it fails to secure us, then it has not done enough. They promise us change and we cannot continue the way we are,” he stated.

Besides, Archbishop and President, Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria and Overseas (GBCN & O), Reverend Peter Olurotimi Olonade described the level of insecurity in the country as unbelievable.

Lamenting the way in which life was being snuffed out of Christians in the Northern part of the country, he urged the government to urgently address the situation before it got out of hand.

Olonade spoke at the one-year remembrance service of his predecessor, the late Reverend Magnus Adeyemi Akinlade, who was also Chairman, South West Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and President, Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI).

He lamented the level of sorrow and grief Boko Haram terrorists have caused families in a country that has freedom of worship and wondered why it has been impossible for the Federal Government to stop the killings.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Law and Civil Culture (CLCC) has charged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to unravel local and foreign sponsors of the terrorist group in order to face justice for the killings of innocent citizens across the country.

In a statement issued by Executive Director of CLCC, Imran Abdulganeey, it condemned the rising killings of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram terrorists, warning that the group was trying to cause religious war in the country.

“Boko Haram is trying to deepen the religious dichotomy between Christians and Muslims. The killing of Lawan Andimi and Danciya Dalep is one of the strategies of the group to divide Nigerians along religious lines, so that they can easily penetrate and weaken us.

“Nigerians must, therefore, rise up and resist the temptation. We must let them know that we are united in our resolve to defeat Boko Haram,” he said.