Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, deplored rising cases of kidnapping, killing of clergy men, and attacks on worship centres across Nigeria.
Governor Okowa made the remark at a security seminar tagged; “Securing worship centres and clergymen in contemporary Nigeria”, organised by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters. The seminar held at Grace Cathedral Church of God Mission, Asaba.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Okowa stated that while security agents were working hard to apprehend the perpetrators of heinous crimes in the country, it is imperative to equip church leaders and families with basic knowledge on personal security and safety at worship centres.
According to him, in recent times, the nation has witnessed rising cases of pastors abducted and sometimes killed, or in some cases ransomed.
“Although no fatality has been recorded among abducted clergymen in Delta, this unholy trend calls for concern”, the governor stated.
“Given the turbulence and uncertainties that have plagued this nation in our recent political history, there is no gainsaying the fact that it is the prayer of the righteous that have kept this country together,” he added.
He said his administration was committed to security of life and and property, as well as peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups.
“We have continued to bolster our security architecture to ensure that together with your prayers, we win the battle against armed robbery, kidnapping, and all forms of criminality.
“As you may be aware, we recently inaugurated ‘Operation Delta Hawk’, a joint task force with the mandate to take the fight to these criminals, be they bandits, kidnappers or gun-totting cattle herders.” Okowa stated.
He commended the efforts of the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies for maintaining law and order, and called for prayers for success of the gallant law enforcement personnel in the state and country.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, noted in an earlier remark that it was imperative for Christians to pray without ceasing for peace, security and progress of the nation.
“It is not news any more that there’s terrorism and wholesome kidnapping in the country and it has even extended to our state, though not so severe.
“If you watch, all of us have heard severally, pastors being kidnapped and killed, before they start burning churches in Delta, we want to make sure that the clergy knows a little bit of what to do to prevent that.
“The Bible says watch and pray, it didn’t say pray only, that’s the essence of it. We are being proactive. We want to make sure that we are equipped spiritually and otherwise so we can prevent it from happening,”
He said the church in the state was committed to the fight against COVID-19 by ensuring that all necessary preventive protocols were obeyed.
Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Joseph Hayab said it has been established that we have a security challenge and as a nation, we should genuinely find ways to tackle it.
He said that from scriptures and experience, there are ways to ensure that churches and pastors are secured. He therefore called on the church in Nigeria to wake up and stop the killings and kidnappings.
“I have been talking about kidnapping, payment of ransom and sometimes killing of pastors in parts of the country especially Kaduna State.
“The situation may not be same here but how can we stop the killings and kidnappings to ensure that our worship centres are secured?” he stated.