The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states has raised the alarm at the increasing incidents of using false allegations of blasphemy as weapon to kill Christians, especially those living in northern Nigeria.
Recall that irate Muslim youths in Katangan area of Warji local government of Bauchi State injured a pastor and destroyed churches in the area for alleged blasphemy.
The incident occurred barely two weeks after the killing and setting ablaze of Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, for the same offence.
It was learnt that the target of the Bauchi mob was a Christian lady who was alleged to have committed sacrilege against Prophet Mohammed.
The rampaging youths, it was also gathered, had intensified the search for the lady immediately after the Friday Jummaat prayers but could not find her.
Furious that they could not locate her, the youths vent their anger on properties belonging to Christians in area.
They allegedly torched some buildings, attacked the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) where a pastor was injured.
Reacting to the incident in Abuja, the vice president of CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Rev. Joseph Hayab said false allegations of blasphemy are now being used for blackmail or settling of scores with passive enemies or well-mannered young girls who allegedly refused sexual advances by the opposite sex from another religion.
“Allegations of blasphemy have now become the new excuse by fundamentalists in northern Nigeria to kill the remnants that bandits and terrorists have not yet killed. How can you justify the period of what happened in Sokoto, the allegation in Borno, the fake allegation on Babachir Lawal by one northern actor who we have on record how he made blasphemous remarks about Jesus Christ, but quickly went and brought it down on the internet to cover himself before coming out to falsely accuse Babachir Lawal, the former SGF?
“And we are seeing another carnage in Bauchi under the excuse of blasphemy. We know and have evidence of how some of these allegations of blasphemy are false and just for blackmail or settling scores with passive enemies or well-mannered young girls who have refused sexual advances by the opposite sex from another religion.
“We are also aware of how fanatics have in the past raised lies in the name of blasphemy. CAN wonders if the recent sermons we are getting from some Islamic clerics on what the Holy Quran says about what should be done if anyone is accused of blasphemy is unpopular amongst followers?
“The challenge now is for government authorities and security agencies to act fast to address this abuse of our constitution before it leads to a more serious conflict that cannot be handled,” Hayab said.
He added: “Nigeria’s Christians, most especially those of northern extraction have for ages exhibited tolerance despite many provocations and lack of reciprocation of our love and friendship.
“But these new tactics for killing our people from any and every accusation of blasphemy are unacceptable to CAN and all Christian faithful. We will not accept this brutal way of murder and inhuman treatment of our followers to continue.
Hayab therefore called on government and security agencies to act fast to address “this abuse of our constitution,” before it leads to a more serious conflict that cannot be controlled.
He also appealed to religious leaders from both religious divides to intensify teachings about the evil of taking the laws into one’s hand and killing another person for whatever reason.
“The government and security agencies should come out to enforce the law on every murderer hiding under religion.
“We will also wish to appeal to Christian leaders and parents to guide their children to resist any ungodly provocation that will make them say things that blood-thirsty fundamentalist can easily use to kill them.”
“Alleged offenders should be reported to security agencies or taken to any competent court of law for judiciary pronouncement.
“Nigeria is not a banana republic but a nation we believe should be governed by the rule of law,” he said.
