The Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Dami Mamza has said the state is now enjoying relative peace.
It will be recalled that the state was thrown into mourning early in the year when an official of CAN, in the state, Rev. Lawan Andimi was killed by Boko Haram insurgents.
He was beheaded on Monday January 20 for failing to renounce his faith in Christ Jesus after days in their captivity.
Andine was chairman of CAN of the Michika Local Government area of the State.
But Bishop Mamza told our reporter that the security situation in the state has improved greatly after the unfortunate incident. “Crime rate has reduced drastically and people now walk freely without fear of being attacked and molested.”
Mamzi however informed that there are two local governments in the State where people are still living with the fear of the insurgents.
“Presently people in Michika and Madagali local governments are still living with the fear of insurgents largely because they are close to Sambisa forest where the insurgents are more active. But we are praying and also trust that God will put an end to their activities.” he said.
He asked Christians to keep praying for the state and other states in the north that God will bring permanent peace to this part of the country.
He said though the governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is a Muslim, he has not allowed religious sentiment to becloud his sense of judgment pointing out also that appointments in the state has been on merit.
“I can say there is no discrimination against Christians in the state as of today. The cabinet of the present government is 50-50 between Christians and Muslim. The appointments are based on merit. There is no discrimination against civil servants in the States who are Christians.
“People get their promotion as at when due without undue sentiment. In the history of the state, this government has been wonderful. We are grateful to God for this and hope that he will continue to be fair.”
On the wife of the slain CAN official and the promises made by the governor, he said, “Work is in progress in that direction. The governor has said the education of the children will be sponsored by the state. He is doing that. And he has promised to build a house for the family. That is also being processed. We can only hope that things will get better.”
Read also: The plight of Christians in the north:https://churchtimesnigeria.net/chrisitans-north/
Dami Mamza: The Nasarawa kidnap
Commenting on the abduction of Bishop Joseph Masin, Chairman of CAN in Nasarawa and his eventual release, he said he was full of hope that he would be released in good time.
His words, “When I heard of his abduction I believed God would not allow CAN to mourn again and moreso that the kidnappers from that area are not as vicious as those of the north east.
“I don’t know if ransom was paid or not. But I know God would not allow us to mourn again by losing another CAN official to criminals. I also know that the kidnappers from that end are more of people who are looking for what to eat.
“Many of the kidnappers in those places are not doing it for purpose of religion unlike what we experience in the North east states. The case we have here is more religious. They are seeking for forceful converts. That is why we need to intensify prayers for Christians in the north.”