Abuja churches step up security
By Bassey Udo
January 25, 2010 02:52AM



There was palpable apprehension among worshippers in Abuja churches yesterday, as reports at the weekend hinted of plans of an impending attack on Christians allegedly being hatched by some unnamed Islamic groups in the country.

Apart from text messages passed around by GSM phone users warning Christians about the plot to attack them through poisoned snacks and fruits, there was another text message ostensibly from the National Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) alluding to plans to physically harm them.

The text messgaes

The first text message, said to have begun circulating late last Saturday, reads:

“Please don’t buy fast food/drink (poisoned) from Muslim hawkers, especially near church premises/convention ground grounds. That’s their new attack plan in Abuja. Please spread this to your loved ones.” There was no name of the sender that accompanied the message.

The second message, ostensibly from a CAN Executive named Akinola, reads: “Security report reaching us indicates there might be Islamic attack on churches/vicarages in Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi and Abuja this weekend. This is to put you on red alert. Seek the intervention of ALL your members in the FORCES. Above all, take it to the LORD in prayers.”

Caution as watchword

Apparently responding to the call to alert, most churches NEXT visited took extra security measures during their services to guarantee their safety.

Officials of some of the churches who spoke with NEXT said they had to inform their members to be extra vigilant and watch out for strange faces and promptly report unusual activities in their neighbourhoods to the nearest security agents.

At the First Abuja Parish of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) located at Wuse 2, a young man who showed up with a big bag containing a video camera and other equipment, claiming to have been invited to cover a child dedication ceremony, was turned back when he was not able to convince security officials of his mission and the identity of the person who invited him.

On Saturday night, it was gathered that Christian residents of Gwagwalada, Mpape and other communities in the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were so scared of their lives that most of them ran from their homes to take refuge at police barracks and other places following reports that they were about to be attacked.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, however told NEXT on phone yesterday that there was no iota of truth in the rumours making the rounds. He urged the people to ignore the text messages and go about their normal businesses.

“The Police has not received any report of poisoning incident or attack in any part of the Federal Capital City. People should ignore these unfounded messages and go about their businesses,” he said, adding that some police patrol teams have been patrolling Abuja neighbourhoods to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.

However, the Imam of Area 2 Mosque, Abuja, Abdulfatai Ayinla expressed disappointment over the rumoured plans to attack Christians by some Moslems across the nation. Mr. Ayinla said the text messages were products of fear and handiwork of some persons who are determined to scuttle the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by Christians and Moslems in the FCT. He wondered why anybody should imagine that Muslims would plan to poison fast foods and drinks and sell them around churches and convention ground.

“It is false. If there is anything like that, I should know as a committee member here. People should stop fueling crisis and not cause confusion in this nation.

“Islam is not known for violence. Anybody can buy and eat and should the hawkers inquire someone’s religion before selling to them? This is not logical and people should reason before they talk ,” he said.

Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria, Samuel Salifu said it is good to be security conscious and for one to walk in wisdom, considering the recent events happening in the country. Mr. Salifu who confirmed that he received same message said efforts were made to determine the source and authenticity of the SMS but that it is a good development since it warned Christians to be cautious so they are not taken unawares. “Some state governments responded to it and beefed up security in their areas, especially today being a day of worship for Christians. It is good that we were alerted so that if there were such plans it would have been scuttled by now.”

National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), John Onaiyekan, told NEXT in a telephone interview:

“We don’t know who is generating these text messages.

For me, it is not a positive development. We cannot resolve our problems with these text messages going around. We must take positive steps to resolve them.

But you cannot tell people not to take such things seriously, especially going by unprovoked attacks they have experienced.

“A minimum of trust is necessary if people are going to live together in this country. We pray that good gestures can calm the situation.”

Meanwhile, a pastor told NEXT yesterday that the Abuja chapter of the Pentescostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) met on Saturday night to discuss the matter. “We are on top of the situation,” the pastor reassured.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5516953-146/abuja_churches_step_up_security_.csp

This is getting worst.

How sad, that churches that ought to be worrying about the dying and how to help people are now have to start worrying about their own security, and yet the govt of Nigeria is yet to find a way to deal with the problem.

something very fundamental is wrong with nigeria, and we know it!

Nigeria is a country without a leader, so am not surprised all this nonsense are happening.
This is getting too much, the govt have to investigate this matter, are we saved

guru02:

Nigeria is a country without a leader, so am not surprised all this nonsense are happening.
This is getting too much, the govt have to investigate this matter, are we saved

Which Government?? The one in Saudi??

And xtians in the South should be gearing up to flush em out in the south.
Eye for an eye.

This is bothering on paranoia

Not paranoia but an understanding that we live amongst wolves who will harm us at any given opportunity. My pastor put it succintly on sunday-We have prayed long enough,now let us Watch.

This is how people that don't mean well for this country spread rumors making innocent citizen that have lived for decade peacefully start having ill feelings towards each other. I think those behind these text message should be meant to explain where they got this idea that "Muslims are planning an attack on the Christians".

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