The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Nigeria and Overseas, has strongly condemned a recent terrorist attack on its assembly in Eruku, Kwara State, that resulted in the tragic loss of life and the abduction of several members.
The church called for immediate action from the Nigerian government to address the escalating insecurity and protect its citizens, while also urging unity and prayer during this challenging time.
The attack, which occurred at the CAC assembly in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, claimed the lives of three church members and led to the abduction of the resident Pastor and other congregants. This devastating act has deeply saddened the CAC, prompting a heartfelt response of grief and condemnation.
The condemnation of the devastating act and the appeal were contained in a release by the church and signed by the church’s General Secretary, Pastor (Barrister) David Udofia.
The release reads:
“It was with a heavy heart and a deep sense of sorrow that the Authorities of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas received the tragic news of the recent attack by terrorists, on an assembly of the Church located in Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. Reports reveal that three members of the Church lost their lives during the incident, while the resident Pastor and several other members were abducted.
“First and foremost, our hearts go out to the families of the departed. We share in your griefs and we pray that God will comfort you and give you the fortitude to bear your losses. We also continue to pray for those abducted, that they will be released quickly and unharmed, in Jesus’ precious Name.
“Like similar sacrilegious attacks on places of worship in the past, the Authorities of the Church condemn this barbaric attack on the CAC Church at Eruku in its totality. It is inhuman and devilish, and a direct assault on the collective humanity of all right thinking Nigerians.
The unfortunate attack further exposes the abysmal failure of the Federal Government to live up to one of its fundamental constitutional duties, which is the protection its citizens. The relentless wave of terrorist attacks on places of worship also confirms the fact that the Christian faith in Nigeria is under grave existential threat.
“We consider it a collective shame on all of us as a nation and a dishonor to the souls of murdered victims of terrorist attacks, that the most reaction often received from our Government after such incidents, is mere condemnation in the media, after which the nation moves on and the Government continues with business as usual.
“Another source of great disappointment is the role played (or not played) by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Christian associations established to serve the interests of the Christian community. Perhaps there has been no other time than now, in recent history, when there has been a dire need for CAN to cry out on behalf of their own. In our humble opinion, the lamentations of Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo of Plateau State, which was a major factor that helped to direct global spotlight on the atrocities in Nigeria, were properly the duty and prerogative of CAN and other Christian associations, a duty in which CAN has unfortunately been failing.
“With the utmost respect, the silence of CAN concerning the genocide on christians in Nigeria, has been too deafening. CAN has to rise up to its sacred responsibility and reclaim the confidence of Christians, as the umbrella body representing the interest of Christians and Christian organisations in Nigeria.
“We also call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to rise up urgently to the challenge of the moment. The President needs to face the stark reality that our dear nation may presently be teetering on the brink of collapse as a failed state, unless fundamental actions are taken to address the growing menace of insecurity. Respectfully, merely directing the military to perform their statutory duty is not enough. It is very disturbing that even as this piece was being written, we received a fresh report that about 50 students have been kidnapped from a Catholic secondary school in Niger State!
There is an urgent need for the declaration of a national state of emergency, coupled with deliberate strategic and persistent pushback on terror. War must be declared on terrorists and this has to take the front burner of Government policies and actions. Among other benefits, such actions will also help to change the growing suspicion now prevalent in the public space, of Government’s complicity with the perpetrators of terror.
“Although the terrorists’ attacks are mostly targeted at Christians, every law abiding and right thinking Nigerian is a victim or a potential victim, in one way or the other, irrespective of our religious and ethnic differences. We therefore also reach out to the Muslim community in Nigeria and urge them to cooperate with us in condemning and confronting this unfortunate evil of terrorism and wanton killings being perpetrated in the name of religion.
To our fellow members of Christ Apostolic Church, home and abroad, now is the time more than ever, to forget the trivial things that divide us, and unite to fight a common evil. Let us remember our enviable history and spiritual heritage of efficacious prayers and prophetic direction, for the sake of our precious members, not only in Eruku but all over the world. Moreover, Nigeria needs our prayers now more than ever, but such effectual prayers can only avail in unity.
Finally, we urge all Christians across denominations to pay more attention to security in their assemblies, because the days are evil. We also need to rise up as one in persistent intercession to God, to be merciful and heal our land, in accordance with the prescription in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
“May God hear our prayers and expose both sponsors and perpetrators of evil in Nigeria. May the dawn of a new and glorious Nigeria come in unity, peace and righteousness. Amen.”
