Kenechukwu Ofomah
Awka
Following the launch of deadly strikes against terrorists in
Sokoto Thursday night by US forces, Nigerians have expressed support for more
interventions to eradicate extreme terrorism in the country.
US President Donald Trump had confirmed the attacks earlier this morning, insisting that it will not allow the attack against Christians. Trump also vowed to continue the strikes if the attacks on Christians persist.
The Nigerian government, had denied any form of genocide
against Christians, adding that the terrorism in parts of the country affects
both Christians and Muslims alike.
But in an exclusive chat with the Catholic Bishop of Awka
Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, he maintained that the government is
not being truthful if it claims Christians are not targeted especially in the
North.
Ezeokafor said evidences abound as to incidences of attacks
on Christian population in the North, their eviction from their ancestral homes
and subsequent quartering at Internally-Displaced Persons, IDP camps.
“Christianity is facing serious war in Nigeria, and anyone
denying that is not being honest. “People are being displaced and sent to IDP
camps and these terrorists take over their lands and communities.
“So, no matter the interpretation or colouration given to it, the truth is that
some people want to subdue others. People from a certain religion want to
eradicate some others from the Christian faith.
“Religion is a way of life and in Nigeria, we have two major
religions- Christianity and Islam. We believe also that these two religions can
co-exist in Nigeria while maintaining their territorial areas and ways of
practice. Otherwise, none can put the other in the pocket,” he said.
The prelate waved aside the colouration by the government
that both Christians and Muslims were being targeted by the terrorists,
insisting that the government was only trying to be clever by half.
“I have also heard people saying that Muslims are also
killed alongside the Christians. But the question is- who are the ones
persistently perpetrating these killings. If you answer this question honestly,
you will know where the problem is coming from,” he said.
Ezeokafor also condemned the practice of government negotiating
with terrorists and bandits, saying that was the reason why they are emboldened
to continue to perpetrate terror.
According to him, “I have never seen anywhere in the world
where any sane government is negotiating with criminal, kidnappers and bandits.
“That’s why I am among those who believe that if the
Nigerian government cannot protect the lives of its citizens, then there is
nothing wrong in seeking assistance from the United States to do so, because no
one should die in the hands of another just because they feel they are
superior.”
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