Benue church killings: Commercial activities grounded as CAN orders sit at home

From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

Economic activities were yesterday shut down across Benue state as the people commenced a seven day prayer and fasting declared by the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The state chairman of CAN, Rev. Akpen Leva who ordered the sit at home, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance, saying that the association had ordered sit at home for all private organizations, including: artisans, market women, commercial drivers and others except civil servants to stay at home for seven days.
“Am happy that the sit at home order we gave today (Monday)as we commence the seven days prayer and fasting is effective.”
Though the sit at home order did not include civil servants, it was however, observed that state offices were closed as some civil servants did not report to work even as schools, shops and markets were closed down, but banks opened for customers while some only offered skeletal services.
Our correspondent who went round Makurdi, the State capital between 7.00am and 114000, report that the town was completely deserted as commercial vehicles abandoned roads with few okada riders plying roads.
The empty office forced state governor, Samuel Ortom to issue statement that there was no public holiday in the state.
The statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase said, ‘the prayer and fasting jointly organized by government and CAN does not affect work and markets.
Recall that the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN had directed all churches to protest as well as commence fasting and prayers for the killing of two priests and 17 parishioners at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Mbalom, Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State.