Unabated kidnap of pastors, missionaries worries Christian lawyers

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) has expressed dismay over various acts of kidnappings, abduction for ransom with pastors and missionaries as primary targets.
This was contained in a communiqué issued after the President in Council meeting of the Fellowship held in Kaduna yesterday.
CLSFON also lamented cult-related killings, attack on vulnerable communities by terrorists, bandits and herdsmen across many states in Nigeria despite huge resources deployed by Federal Government to curb insecurity.
The communiqué signed by Arome Okwori and Olatunji Omole National President and National Secretary respectively
called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to take more seriously the responsibility of the protection of the lives and properties of all residents of Nigeria as provided by the Constitution and other relevant laws, leaving no stone unturned to secure the release Leah Sharibu and many others in the custody and captivity of
insurgents and bandits.
“CLASFON observes with grave concern the Federal Government policy on rehabilitation of the so-called repented Boko Haram terrorists while paying less attention to the plight of victims.
“We call on the Federal Government to resist the temptation of promoting the culture of impunity and lawlessness by ensuring that those who have committed heinous murderous acts against citizens on a wide scale are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Anything short of this is unacceptable as it shows that terrorism against the State pays and unwittingly make a mockery of the effort of the Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism.
“The morale of our Soldiers fighting terrorism and justice for the victims must not be compromised.
“ CLASFON is saddened at the continuous persecution of Christians in Nigeria and the downward slide in the state of insecurity.
“We note with sadness the cold murder of Rev. Lawan Indimi, Ropvil Dayep and 9 other Christians by ISWAP as revenge for the killing of their Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and continued attacks on predominantly Christians communities and Churches especially in Chibok, Minchika and other places.
“CLASFON commends the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for openly admitting that terrorists were targeting Christians which underscores the need for more proactive steps to protect Christian communities.
“ The pattern of repeated lamentations over continued killings in Nigeria must stop. We call on the Federal Government to review the current security apparatus in order to defeat the terrorist and so that they can face the full wrath of the law for their despicable crimes,” the communiqué reads.