The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu, Grace Taku and other hostages in the den of the Boko Haram terrorists.
President of CAN, Samson Ayokunle made the call in a statement on Friday signed by his Special Assistant, (Media), Bayo Oladeji.
According to him, the primary objectives of any ‘serious’ government, is the security of lives and property of the people, and failure in that responsibility may lose the confidence of the citizens.
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Ayokunle said CAN has watched the viral video of Boko Haram terrorists’ camp where Grace Taku, an aide worker of Action for Hunger had appealed to the Federal Government, CAN and other wellmeaning Nigerians to facilitate her release and her colleagues from their abductors.
The christian umbrella body recalled that the Boko Haram sect sometimes in April this year reportedly kidnapped a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Abraham Amuta and a cleric with Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), identified as Pastor Moses Oyeleke in Borno State.
“We have not heard anything about their whereabouts,” it said.
The CAN president called on the Federal government, and security agencies, to secure the freedom of those held hostages, such as of Leah Sharibu, Grace Taku and her collegues Amuta and pastor Moses Oyeleke before it gets too late.
“We urge the Federal Government to expedite action toward the captives’ release, as in that of Dapchi girls except for Leah Sharibu. We believe strongly that Leah Sharibu is still alive, hail and hearty and she will and others must be set free from the captivity. Enough of paying lips service to the menace of security challenges in the country,” CAN said.
He called on the government to carry out a total revamp of the country’s security apparatus, while asking developing nations to assist Nigeria in combating the challenges of insecurity before it becomes unbearable.
“There is no exaggeration to say Nigeria roads are unsafe as kidnappers, terrorists, killer herdsmen and bandits are operating with impunity.
How come these six aid workers were abducted and taken to the den of the captives without the awareness of the security agencies?
“What has become their intelligence gathering? Are we sure there are no saboteurs among our security agencies? Is there anything the government and the security agencies are doing to stop this menace that we don’t know to avert its negative effect as some notorious people taking law into their hands?” he said.
Ayokunle called the government and security agencies to ‘wake up from their slumber ‘ before it gets late.
“Our prayer is that the awesome God will come to the aid of this country. He will free all the captives and comfort all the bereaved of the killings in the country,” Ayokunle said.
The Aide workers were reportedly kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, on July 18, around Niger border, on their way back from humanitarian fieldwork.
The Paris-based Humanitarian organization, ACF, had confirmed the individuals on the video were its workers, demanding on their release.