By Paul Odenyi, Abuja

Community and religious leaders in Abuja are working hard to douse tension in the city following a new wave of security threats many of which are delivered through short message service (SMS) to Christians and southerners on impending attack on the city.

Concerned Igbo leaders led by Senator Uche Chukwumerije yesterday urged Christians and South East community leaders to organize themselves, take precautionary and adequate self defence measures within the limit of the law.

According to Chukwumerije who addressed a press conference in Abuja, the sms alert which was sent to key Christian leaders warned that some sectarian fundamentalists have hatched a plot to massacre prominent Christian leaders in the coming days.

He said the warning is taken seriously based on the last attack at the Madalla Catholic Church in which over forty people were killed, majority of them were Igbos.

Chukwumerije was accompanied by Senator Ben Obi, Special Adviser to the President; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu former National Vice Chairman of the ruling PDP for the South East; Barrister Nwabueze Obi; Cyril Ezeani and Austin Ifedinezi.

According to them, “we would have liked to dismiss the purported plan as a hoax. But we have learnt bitter lessons from similar tragedies in the past. In any case, the text message is credited to a credible and respected organization.

“In fact, we quote the text “please instruct ministers and 2 all xtians u know that Northern Muslims are planning JIHAD; Total massacre of our brethren in the North, from midnight of tomorrow Friday 13, January. Pls be at alert and defend yourselves. Pass dis to as many xtians ministers u know in the north. I know God will fight our battle. Don’t panic, CAN FCT”

But the FCT Minister, Sen Bala Mohammed has dismissed the fear as unfounded, urging Christians and Muslims in FCT to ignore the text messages being circulated by unscrupulous elements.



http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/tension-in-abuja-over-threats-to-attack-christians/