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Nigeria Christians unite against violence

Monday April 30 2018
NaijaMap
By MOHAMMED MOMOH

Several Christian groups in Nigeria have called for an end to the spate of killings in parts of the country, particularly in Benue State.

At least 329 people have been killed by gunmen in the north-central state this year.

Under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the faithful over the weekend wore black and white attires as a mark of mourning for the murdered Catholic priests and parishioners of St Ignatius Church, Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area.

The two priests, fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, as well as 16 other worshippers, were killed in church during the 5am Mass on April 24.

The jihadists

Taraba, Kaduna, and Adamawa states in the north have been the most affected by the violence perpetrated by herders, as the nation also contends with the jihadists Boko Haram, who have held Nigeria to ransom since 2009, leading to the deaths of more than 25,000 people and the displacement of millions of others.

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The Christian worshippers held peaceful protests within their churches to denounce violence. They waved placards with inscriptions such as "Enough of the killings”, “We want peace in our state”, “No more bloodshed”, “Lord, what have we done to deserve this?’’.

RELATED CONTENT: 105 Nigeria schoolgirls freed from captivity

At the Nongu u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) church in Iyortyer, Makurdi, worshippers waved placards and marched peacefully within their premises.

Pastor Frederick Ikyaan said the Christian community was in mourning

"We are saddened by these killings and we want the world to know our displeasure over these acts,’’ he said.

The Christians also prayed in the Islamic state of Kano in the north west.

The chairman of the state chapter of CAN, the Rev Adeolu Samuel, urged the Federal Government to declare the killers as terrorists and direct the military to confront them.

The release

Pastor John West of Zion the City of our God Ministry urged Nigerians to embrace peace, to enhance development.

Pastor West spoke as he coordinated the protest at Ikoyi and Obalende axis of Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.

He called for the release of Leah Shuaibu, a student of Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC) in Dapchi, held captive by the Boko Haram for refusing to renounce Christianity.

The faithful also held peaceful protests at the Holy Messiah Cherubim and the Seraphim Church, the Foursquare, the Mountain of Fire and the Deeper Life Church.

The Bishop of Lagos North, Methodist Church, Olu Akinola, said the faithful were not protesting but praying for Nigeria.

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