South Daily
Related Articles
The Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East Zone, has told the Federal Government not “to not induce crisis or create undue tension in the (36) states”.
The group also condemned the continuous attack and killing of people on a daily basis by suspected herdsmen and called for action.
The body, in statement on Tuesday by its Chairman, Dr Giddy Okafor, and Secretary, Dr Scamb Nwokolo, called on people in the region to be prepared to defend themselves.
The group urged all stakeholders to address the worsening security situation in the country.
While commending the Federal Government’s suspension of the controversial Ruga project, the group told the FG not to implement any programme that could lead to anarchy in the country.
The statement said, “We vehemently reject, condemn and oppose any form of forceful appropriation of individual or communal land to herdsmen or nomads in the guise of executive order, act, law or Federal Government programme, particularly in the South-East.
“Cattle rearing is a private business, and as such, the Federal Government should not induce crisis or create undue tension in the states, more so when the South-East is still recovering from the havoc of the civil war and does not wish such to happen again in any form. Business is by negotiation, not imposition.”
It added, “We implore the Federal Government, in the interest of peace, unity and mutual co-existence and tolerance, to totally rescind, abrogate and jettison any action or inaction or by amendment or otherwise that shall lead to the implementation of Ruga or cattle colony, or with other names that shall depict giving herdsmen or nomadic cattle owners the right to acquire or take over or confiscate land of individuals or indigenous communities forcefully through the apparatus of government.”
CAN urged Igbo and Christians not to panic “regarding the threat from some northern groups. Our land shall never be allowed to be taken by force by anybody in any guise”.
