The presidency has
expressed its disappointment on the Leadership of the Christian Association of
Nigerian, CAN, questioning the rationale behind its refusal to condemn the hate
speech made by Apostle Suleiman that Christians should kill Fulani herdsmen.
This was made known by a
senior official of the Presidency who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the
senior official noted that the Federal Government has been sending
reinforcements to Southern Kaduna and would enforce the law against
perpetrators of violence.
Furthermore, the source
however said that the presidency was seeking the cooperation of religious
leaders not to support hate speeches that called for even more violence
The vanguard on 30th January reported
that the source supported the invitation of Apostle Suleiman by the Department
of State Service, DSS adding that calling for the killing of herdsmen was un-Christian.
Vanguard further reported that
the source said: “Making specific reference to a cleric whose statements openly
called for the killing of Fulani herdsmen, the presidency official noted that
all religious leaders be it Christian, Islamic or Traditional should condemn
the call and bring the pastor back to order. “Yes, we understand the emotional reactions
arising from a breakout of violence and day-in day-out the government is
dealing with the situation. Perpetrators of violence are being arrested, and we
don’t need a religious leader calling for more violence,” the official added.
“The said pastor had said
any Fulani herdsman you see around you, kill him. I have told them in the
church here, that any Fulani herdsman that just entered by mistake, Kill him,
Kill Him. Cut his head. If they are busy killing christians over there and
nothing is happening, we will kill them and nothing will happen.
“Is CAN, aware of this kind of statement? Is
it in line with Christian conduct? Why haven’t there been a condemnation of
this kind of criminal conduct. There is some understandable outrage about cases
of violence in Southern Kaduna, yet this coming from a religious leader is
certainly even more outrageous.
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