By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi –
Worried by the spate of killings, destruction and displacement of thousands of Benue people, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has organised a prayer summit for the Christian community in the state.
Speaking on Friday during the prayer summit, the Vice Chairman of CAN in the State, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede lamented that a lot of people have been killed by the herders and the attacks on the Benue people have continued unabated.
Rev. Ugbede said communities of Logo, Kwande, Ukum, Agatu, Apa, Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas among others, were the most hit by the herdsmen.
He noted that only God could save the Benue people from the cruel hands of the herdsmen and appealed to the Benue Christians to offer relentless prayers for God to intervene in the situation.
He wondered why some youths in the state would go behind to support the killing of the fellow Benue people by identifying with the herders to cause mayhem on the Benue people.
The vice chairman, who sued for unity and peace in the state, appealed to the youths to find something useful for themselves so as to remain relevant to themselves and the society in general.
Rev. Ugbede, who appreciated the Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for his proactive approach to issues of insecurity in the state, noted that the establishment of Anyam Nyor was a clear indication of the fact that the Governor is determined to deal with insecurity in the state and appealed to all Benue people to support him to succeed.
According to the State Vice Chairman of CAN, the church in Benue does not support any call for emergency rule in the state even as the church has no hand in the call for the removal of the governor but would continue to support the governor for him to continue with the people oriented projects.
In his message, the immediate past Chairman of CAN in the state, Rev. Dr. Augustine Akpen Leva, told Christians that only God would save them and appealed to the people to leave their evil ways and come to God with the show of remorse and God would save the land.
Dr. Leva, who said it was not too late for the people to return to God, insisted that the people should embrace the virtues of love, unity and avoid everything that is capable of dividing them and bringing disunity as well as hatred in the society.
The prayer summit was organised throughout the state as the local government coordinators of CAN also organised the summit in the various areas.
At the prayer summit, prayers were offered to God for various points which centered on giving thanks to God and asking for God’s intervention in the security situation of the state.
