PRESS RELEASE
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) recieves with shock the news of the attack on the convoy of three higly placed traditional rulers in Borno State – the Emirs of Gwoza, Uba and Askira, by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
CAN condemns in strong terms, the attack carried out by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram fighters on the convoy of the Emirs of Gwoza, Uba and Askira in Borno State, in which the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta was killed and several others injured.
I am pained by the fact that the attack is coming at a time when the wise counsel of the traditional institution is most needed to fight insurgency in that part of the country and to help check moral decadence in our society.
The killing of the Emir of Gwoza is most unfortunate and again demonstrates the evil plans and agenda of the Boko Haram sect.
On behalf of my family and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, i wish to commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives in the recemnt attack, especially the family of the late Alhaji Idrissa Timta, the Emir of Gwoza. It is true that words alone cannot console the families of the deceased but i urge them to take solace in the fact that God is in control.
I want to use this opportunity to remind Nigerians of the need to continue to unite in the fight against terrorism in our land, it is an act that we all must denounce and fight with all that we have got, probably the emirs were attacked for their condemnation of Boko Haram but this must not deter us.
We must resist all forms of intimidation by the Boko Haram sect, if we keep mute over their activities they will surely come after us, no matter the price that we have to pay, we must not support of keep mute over their activities.
CAN will continue to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives in the Boko Haram insurgency, their efforts in fighting the terrorists will surely be remembered by posterity.
Once again, i salute the courage of our royal fathers and the gallantry of our soldeirs who toil day and night to ensure that normalcy returns to our once vibrant and viable commercial region of the northeast especially Borno State.
Let us all use this solemn ocassion to pledge our commitment to the fight against terrorism in Niegria and our world at large, let us pray for our troops and all those involved in the war against terror, i know we shall win this war because darkness cannot triumph over light.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor,
President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
