THE Abia State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) has challenged the North to show proof of innocence and or complicity in the criminal activities of the Islamist group, Boko Haram.
CAN also demanded to know "why Christians should continue to be sacrificed by the enemies of Nigeria without a satisfactory security solution from the nation's security agencies'.
The state CAN raised these posers in a statement read to Journalists in Aba by the chapter chairman, Bishop Goddy Okafor, who is the head of the Peculiar Peoples International Church.
CAN expressed worry over the state of insecurity in the nation and the killing of Christians by the Boko Haram sect, saying " if the North claims innocence that they are not behind Boko Haram, let them unanimously, with one voice, call their sons, brothers, servants and sympathizers to halt attacks on churches/Chrisitans and seek other lawful ways of making their voice heard.
" CAN is tired of hearing that government is doing something or that it will bring the perpetrators to book. Henceforth, northern Religious leaders should go beyond condemning the attacks or attackers and convince Nigerians that they are truly innocent. We need results and not empty promises."
According to the statement, CAN considers the level of insecurity in the country totally unacceptable. " We have always believed in the unity of this nation but not at the detriment of Christians."
CAN commended president Goodluck Jonathan for according to it, the mature manner he handled the fuel subsidy crisis and also extended same to the state governor, Theodore Orji and his colleagues who, according to the Christian body, were calm and supportive during that trying period.
The Guardian