TELL YOUR MEMBERS TO STOP #ENDSARS PROTEST — CAN BEGS RELIGIOUS LEADERS
Reporter : CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Enugu State wants church leaders in the state to appeal to their members, particularly youths, to stop the on-going #EndSARS protest.
This follows introduction of violence, killing, looting and destruction of individual and public property in the protest.
The State CAN Chairman, Bishop Emmanuel Edeh, in a statement signed by his Secretary, Mr. Onuora Okeke, expressed concern that the protest which started peacefully, had taken a dangerous dimension in the past fees days.
“Enugu State has never witnessed this kind of destruction of lives and property in recent time. While we commend the good intent of the protest, we condemn, in its entirety, the introduction of violence, killing, looting and destruction of lives and property as elements in Enugu State,” the Bishop stated.
Bishop Edeh, who pointed out that 2020 had been a challenging year, urged people to avoid any act that would escalate the pains of fellow citizens.
“We have to admonish our members to be law abiding and eschew all forms of violence.
“We urge religious leaders in Enugu State to restrain their members, particularly the youth, from any further protest. 2020 has been a challenging year to all; let us avoid any act that will continue to escalate and worsen the pains and these monumental challenges,” Bishop Edeh pleads.
He expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for setting up a judicial panel of enquiry on police brutality and extra judicial killings in the state, as part of ways of addressing the demands of the protesting youths.
The Enugu State CAN Chairman, while condoling with those affected by the violence that trailed the protest, implored all Christians and Church leaders in the state to embark on serious prayers for God’s intervention in the present challenges.
“The church must rise in prayers against all principalities and forces that do not want us to live in peace.
“May God restore comfort and peace to all those affected and Enugu State through Jesus Christ our Saviour,” the CAN Chairman prayed.