President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor

By Nduka Nwosu, Ahamefula Ogbu, Yemi Akinsuyi and Paul Obi

President Goodluck Jonathan last night promised a shake-up in the security system as part of his efforts to check the spate of bombings in the country.

He promised that since the expectations of the people from government was for it to do more, he would surely "do more" to contain the situation.

He spoke when the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor, visited him to brief him on the position of CAN on the Christmas Day blasts.


Jonathan pleaded with both Muslims and Christian leaders to close ranks and with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the menace which has been on the increase globally would be contained "as good will prevail over evil".

"At the security level, we are doing our best. We will restructure, we will re-adjust and make sure we get a team that will meet with the challenges we are facing today. When in December 2009, a Nigerian was caught in a flight to US, we were all surprised and embarrassed. We thought such people were not living with us, that probably he was contaminated outside. Now we have come to meet the reality that we have terrorists and even suicide bombers among us. We must fish them out. We only ask for the cooperation of all Nigerians.

"And I will plead with religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian leaders, to work together because terrorism is like a cancer to the body, it starts from somewhere and spreads to all the organs of the body. It is like a flood and a big storm; it starts from somewhere and before you know, it goes to places you never expected. So if anybody is dancing round and thinking that it is not their turn today, they will be worse off. So the best thing is for all religious leaders, opinion and traditional leaders to work together," he said.

He asked CAN not to see the attacks as being targeted at Christians since a terror attack on one person is a terror attack on all which has to be resisted by all, adding that he also feels the pains of the Christians, the loved ones and relations of those who died in the bomb incidents.

He further explained that the bombers were like people throwing stones in the market without minding if it hits their own mothers, adding: "I have listened attentively to the statement of CAN but let me again reassure CAN and indeed Nigerians that any terror attack on any individual or structure in this country is an attack on all of us because terrorists don’t have boundary. That is why some of them can even go to the extreme of suicide bombing."
The position paper read by Oritsajefor said Christians had been silent for long over the bombings, and that the situation rather than abetting, was worsening with places of Christian worship being targets.

He said over 50 worshippers were killed in the attacks in Jos, Madalla and Yobe states on Christmas eve.

CAN also expressed displeasure at the response of Muslim organisations "which never came out to condemn the attacks", and warned that should there be further provocative attacks, they would have no option than to retaliate.

"Having reviewed the pattern trend and frequency with which these terror crimes occur, it fits into the profile of Islamic Jihad over the years on the Christian community, It is considered as a declaration of war on Christians and Nigeria as an entity.

"CAN has found the responses of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other Islamic bodies on this matter to be unacceptable and an abdication of their responsibilities over their extremist members. It is on record that most religious, traditional and political leaders in the North have not come out openly to condemn the extremist activities of Boko Haram. We hold them responsible for what is happening, because they have not taken concrete steps to check the excesses of their members," he said.

He warned that the Christian community was fast loosing confidence in the ability of the government to protect them and "the consensus is that the Christian community nationwide would be left with no other option than to respond appropriately if there are any further attacks on our members, churches and properties".

He reassured the government of the unalloyed support of Christians across the country and pledged to always support the administration with prayers for its success.

Earlier, Oritsajefor spoke at Madalla, Niger State, where he had visited to commiserate with the priest and members of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

The new death toll released Wednesday by the church put the figure at 36.

Speaking to journalists, the CAN President, who was accompanied on the trip by the association’s executive council members, said: “As CAN President, I will not encourage revenge, but I will ask all Christians to protect themselves anyway they can. Why should anybody come and kill you in your house, protect yourself, protect your place of worship, protect your property.”
The position paper read by Oritsajefor said Christians had been silent for long over the bombings, and that the situation rather than abetting, was worsening with places of Christian worship being targets.

He said over 50 worshippers were killed in the attacks in Jos, Madalla and Yobe states on Christmas eve.

CAN also expressed displeasure at the response of Muslim organisations "which never came out to condemn the attacks", and warned that should there be further provocative attacks, they would have no option than to retaliate.

"Having reviewed the pattern trend and frequency with which these terror crimes occur, it fits into the profile of Islamic Jihad over the years on the Christian community, It is considered as a declaration of war on Christians and Nigeria as an entity.

"CAN has found the responses of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other Islamic bodies on this matter to be unacceptable and an abdication of their responsibilities over their extremist members. It is on record that most religious, traditional and political leaders in the North have not come out openly to condemn the extremist activities of Boko Haram. We hold them responsible for what is happening, because they have not taken concrete steps to check the excesses of their members," he said.

He warned that the Christian community was fast loosing confidence in the ability of the government to protect them and "the consensus is that the Christian community nationwide would be left with no other option than to respond appropriately if there are any further attacks on our members, churches and properties".

He reassured the government of the unalloyed support of Christians across the country and pledged to always support the administration with prayers for its success.

Earlier, Oritsajefor spoke at Madalla, Niger State, where he had visited to commiserate with the priest and members of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

The new death toll released Wednesday by the church put the figure at 36.

Speaking to journalists, the CAN President, who was accompanied on the trip by the association’s executive council members, said: “As CAN President, I will not encourage revenge, but I will ask all Christians to protect themselves anyway they can. Why should anybody come and kill you in your house, protect yourself, protect your place of worship, protect your property.”

Another promise

You want him to restructure and sack some service chiefs - he said he will do so, yet, you sarcastically call it promise! What else do you want from the President? Mtsheww

^ Ʊ ∂eƔ mind the haters call him whatever Ʊ want he is still ur president all those bashing him are part of the paid people that want to make nigeria ungovernable for mr president, But they are not making nigeria ungovernableis the North they are making ungovernable while the south are developing gradually

:d :d :d :d Well for me i think disunity is eating into Nigeria and its pillars faster than you think.Definitely she is crumbling!!! Where is the usual united talk by NIREC?I also see the CAN presido at it accusing NSCIA again,even after the sultan and some northern figures have come out to condemn the act and sympathize with the victims.Abi the man to skip pages or prefer selective amnesia in such issues?
Its not about CAN or NSCIA or traditional rulers or GEJ.Its about what the political class has brought upon us with the divide and rule.Religious/regional/tribal politics.Here we are today exhibiting the typical brainwash syndrome of suspicion and sentiment driven judgements.We are so brain washed that in the Nigerian's instinct now are so sentiment driven along religious and ethnic ideology that we are doomed!!! NIREC is divided,religious places are now political LovePeddler houses,citizens are militant,activist are now regional mouth piece,nationalist are now tribal warriors etc I say we are ripe for separation don't you think !!!!
Already the security apparatus of the government is systematically become polarized (that is what slightly holds us together),they go and it ends. GEJ or no GEJ.Today we all await for the news of an out break or who/ what becomes the first punch to start the mayhem and blood bath. (God help us!!!).A confirmation of our hypocrisy
Abeg presido you are not confused and you are not weak but you have met a gigantic enemy called Nigerians that are furious and evil!!!It may include you Mr presido but your oath to work for the place called Nigeria, will not see light.All because of those brainless things inhabiting her roaming around.Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria!!! We make her what she is and like GEJ,she could make you and break you(from a shoeless peasant to president).So if she puts you there and decide not to support you,definitely your effort would seem small or useless.Just don't worry or kill yourself over her.She deserves what befalls her.