CAN PLATEAU STATE REACTS TO THE KILLING OF PASTOR IN ABUJA

THE BLOOD OF THE MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE GOSPEL
CAN Plateau state chapter’s reaction to the gruesome killing of Mrs. (Deaconess) Eunice Olawale in Kubwa – Bwari area council in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

Every day seems to bring worse and very sad news and indeed a cause of great concern to our co-existence and freedom of public expression of our faith in Nigeria. It was first the villages that such gruesome killings were heard of but of recent our cities are becoming less and less secure.

It was not very long ago that CAN Plateau State chapter joined many well – meaning Nigerians and indeed the whole Christendom in mourning the BRUTAL killing of Mrs Bridget Agbaheme by her fellow trader in a market in Kano State over an allegation of blasphemy. The church is still awaiting the outcome of judgement on those arrested for her premeditated murder.

The church had thought that given the general condemnation of the Kano act it should not hear of such deliberate killing of human life again.

The Church is shocked to confirm the murder of a preacher, Deaconess Eunice Olawale, a mother of seven in Kubwa Abuja the Federal Capital Territory for that matter. More worrisome is the fact that the barbaric and wicked killing happened when Eunice was performing her spiritual duty in the morning hours.

Given these repeated acts and perhaps others that we are not privileged to hear about the church describes the act as a deliberate attempt by some ungodly people to intimidate Christians from fulfilling their mission mandate as well as disallowing our right of speech which the Nigerian Constitution allows.

Given the efforts our President is making to bring peace and mutual co existence in the country an act by the ruthless killers of an innocent and peace loving Eunice whose gospel message was not directed to any particular person is certainly aimed at abusing, frustrating and causing a set back in the good will of Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari’s peace efforts.

For whatever reason at all, the killers of Deaconess Eunice over stepped their bounds, and have no excuse to justify their callous act.

CAN on the Plateau frowns deeply on the incident and cautions in strong terms any religious group whose stock in trade is to shed human blood in the name of religion to have a rethink and change their hearts as vengeance belongs to the Lord.

CAN Plateau State Chapter condemns in total whoever and whatever motive the perpetrators had for killing of Deaconess Eunice. Life is sacred, only God has the ultimate right to take it, more so God has not instantly killed us for the numerous ways we have provoked and sinned against Him.

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides and allows for the freedom of religion, right of speech and to worship freely,  and settlement to earn a living, practice one’s faith in any part of the country. Thus CAN Plateau State condemns sincerely the act as its practice is not found in the animal world much less to think of it happening live in the human world.

CAN Plateau condoles with the family, husband and children and by extension the entire RCCG community in Nigeria. CAN calls upon the Bwari Council Area where the murder took place, the FCT and Federal Government to take and apply the most drastic punishment on the perpetrators of the grievous act of lawlessness and cruelty to serve as a deterrent to any person conceiving doing the same. This act of brutality if not nipped in the bud and firmly checked can soon be seen as normal way of life, and so escalate in practice, intensity and sophistication.

This consistent shedding of innocent blood is obviously invoking the wrath of God on Nigeria and Nigerians, until these evil and blood thirsty people turn away from this practice Nigeria will not enjoy the presence and blessings of God.

We frown at matter of setting commission of inquiry since the perpetrators are known by the eye witnesses.

Nigeria  is a society governed by clearly stated  laws and nobody, no matter his status can take the laws into his or her hands and go scot-free. Nigeria must try to live by strict human right laws to gain respect from the International community.

CAN Plateau State Chapter commends the National Assembly and the Police for their efforts so far made but  it must not stop at theory, definite practical measures and laws must be enacted to forestall  this from re – occurring.

Certainly Deaconess Eunice is at peace at the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ than those who killed her. They only killed the body but not the Word that has gone forth, the word that never returns void.
May we all work for the peace of Nigeria

Rev Dr Soja Bewarang
CAN Chairman Plateau State Chapter