The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has decried the continuous bloodletting in the country while also calling on government to take proactive measures to stem the tide.
Reacting to the recent massacre in Jos, the fellowship in statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary Dr. Sylvannus Ukafia, said it received the news of the massacre with profound grief and deep outrage.
Just today April 5 reports indicate that seven people were killed by terrorists in two churches in Kaduna..The attackers specifically targeted the First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, both located in Ariko.community of Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State
In addition to those killed, several worshippers were abducted and taken into the surrounding forest.
To stem the tide of continuous bloodletting, the PFN called for accountability in Nigeria’s security architecture.
*Those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives must understand that the office they hold carries moral and constitutional obligations. If those charged with safeguarding the people are unable to provide security, honour demands that they step aside.
“Every official in a position to prevent or curtail insecurity must accept responsibility when citizens perish under their watch. Where responsibility is absent, leadership loses its moral authority.” PFN stated.
The body reminded.governmenr that its primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property. “When citizens are slaughtered in their homes, in their communities, and sometimes even in places of worship, that contract is severely strained. The protection of human life is not optional; it is the primary duty of governance.”
It urged relevant authorities to ‘ensure that these serial massacres of Christians and other innocent citizens cease immediately. Such tragic events must never be trivialized, ignored, or politicized. Human life is sacred, and the blood of innocent Nigerians must not become a routine headline in our national life.”
PFN states, “Nigeria must not surrender to the normalization of bloodshed. The sanctity of life must once again become the foundation of our national conscience.”
While commiserating with families who lost loved ones in the carnage the body states, “no words can adequately express the sorrow that accompanies the loss of life in such brutal circumstances.”
PFN notes further that “incidents of this nature have become tragically serial in our country, particularly in communities where innocent and defenseless people are repeatedly targeted.
” It is deeply troubling that massacre after massacre occurs while the Nigerian public rarely hears of the arrest, prosecution, and punishment of those responsible for previous atrocities. Justice delayed indefinitely is justice denied entirely.”
The fellowship also called on Christians across Nigeria to intensify prayers for the country. “We urge believers not to allow grief, anger, or despair to shake their faith. Though our path as a people may seem dark as night at the moment, we must remember that God remains the light that no darkness can overcome.
“We also urge Christians to remain steadfast, peaceful, and resolute in their faith, trusting that righteousness, justice, and truth will ultimately prevail.”
