The Management and Executive Council of the Church Of Christ In Nations (COCIN) has appealed to both the state and the Federal Governments to urgently help over 30,000 Internally Displaced Persons from 39 Irigwe communities in Bassa LGA currently in IDP camps in Miango and Kwall.
The Church also condemned the mowing down of hectares of farms in Bassa, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local government Areas; describing the acts as “barbaric, savage, wicked, demonic, uncivilized and unacceptable”.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Church’s President, Rev. Dachollom Datiri and General Secretary Rev. Benjamin Pokol, made available to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State.
It reads: “On behalf of Management and Executive Council of the Church Of Christ In Nations (COCIN) I bring greetings and words of comfort to all Nigerians as we grapple with the security challenges in the country which are a reason for serious concern to all citizens, friends and partners of our nation.
“COCIN condemns in unequivocal terms the recent attack and killings along Rukuba road Jos of commuters and the attendant reprisals.
“As a Church, we hold dearly the sanctity of life and abhor in no uncertain terms the ceaseless bloodbath that has claimed numerous precious lives.
“In a similar vein, the Church condemns the mowing down of hectares of farms and crops in Bassa, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas.
“These acts are barbaric, savage, wicked, demonic, uncivilized and unacceptable, to say the least.
While commiserating with the governments and people of Plateau and Ondo states over the recent unfortunate incident in Jos, it offered her condolences to the families of the victims of the dastardly acts; “May you know God’s comfort, help and strength in these trying moments”.
“We call on Government to rise to the occasion, take responsibility for the wanton destruction of lives, crops, and properties.
“Government must do everything in its constitutional power to project the ideals of justice, righteousness, equity and fairness to all Nigerians, irrespective of their tribes, religions, political and ethnic inclinations”, it admonished.
The Church commended the swift response of security agencies and the Federal Government to the Rukuba Road killings.
“We wish to call on the securities in a similar fashion specifically the OPSH to as a matter of urgency use their intelligence and capacity to arrest and prosecute those terrorizing our communities in Bassa, Riyom, Jos North and Barkin Ladi LGAs”.
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“Government must remember that if justice is not seen to be done, it will appear that Government is herself fanning the embers of crisis”, the Church stressed.
According to the Church, “The conflicting reports about the identity of those killed on Rukuba Road and their mission is also very worrisome.
“We, therefore, call on the government to conduct an unbiased investigation to clear rumours, doubts and accusations.
“Security operatives need to intensify efforts during curfews as experience has shown that people are still being attacked and killed”.
