The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday berated the Federal Government over its refusal to fly the nation’s flag at half mast to mourn the victims of the herdsmen killing in Benue state.
The Chairman of CAN in Ondo State, Reverend Ayo Oladapo said it was disturbing that the Federal Government remained deaf and blind to the cry and wailings of the people on the massacre of not less than 70 people in Benue State by herdsmen.
The CAN Chairman stated this in Akure during his speech at a prayer summit organised to round off the 2018 Universal Week of Prayers.
The Christian body also alleged that state governors were being forced to accept establishment of grazing reserves in their states despite popular opinion against the proposal.
The CAN lamented that all that were being done were recommendations that were inimical to the well being of the people.
“The Federal Government seems blind and deaf to the cries and agony of the people especially the killings by Fulani herdsmen and many religious attacks in the middle belts and in some states of this nation.
“The government is using machinery to suppress our people from defending themselves, this is injustice and corruption, 73 caskets of our brethren in Benue were carried by trucks for mass burial in a day and the National flag is flying up not at half mast.
“Most of our state governments are lame and helpless in this situation. They are being coerced to accept grazing colonies in their states,” he said.
The CAN chairman advised the Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu not to accept the proposal.
“God forbid, this will not see the light of the day; the Lord will fight for us. In Ondo State, we pray this will never happen.
“We pray God will give our government the boldness to say no to this and the courage to defend the people of the state from the hands of the oppressors,” he said.
Similarly, the preacher, Pastor Sunday Popoola of the Word Communication Ministries, Ibadan, said the Church of God condemned the killing and the sinful silence of the authority.
He said the head of the nation was the father of everyone and he should defend everyone.