By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Immediate past Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue State, Rev. (Dr.) Augustine Akpen Leva has revealed that bandits’ interest was more on the church and the Christian community in the North-Central (or Middle Belt) State.
Speaking during a one-day fast and daytime prayer organised by NKST Church Worldwide, Dr Leva, who is the resident Pastor, NKST Church, Iortyer, Makurdi, the state capital, disclosed that churches and Christians were the targets of bandits.
He said Christians were being killed by the bandits and churches destroyed, underscoring their objectives.
The former CAN Chairman noted that one Rev. Benjamin Iorngaghem and his wife were part of those killed during the attacks in Ukum part of the State recently, alleging that over 300 Christians had been killed in the last few days.
Dr. Leva disclosed that his consistory, a local administrative body, was complying with the directive of leadership of the NKST Church Worldwide by observing the fast and prayers to seek God’s intervention in the killings in the country and Benue State in particular.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia were doing their best, but nhe urged them to redouble their efforts to stop the killings as they have to rise up to their responsibilities.
Lamenting that “enough is enough,” the NKST Synod Committee member emphasised that the killings had continued unabated, arguing that there was need for divine intervention, hence the special fast and prayer session.
Corroborating what Leva said, Rev. Terlumun Semaka, who also spoke, noted that the attacks on the people of the state were strategic and coordinated as the killer herdsmen “sat down, planned and started executing”.
He appealed to government officials to be sincere in their approach to the situation and abort the fear of risking 2027 elections if they took drastic actions to tame the serially repeated murders and destruction.
Also commenting, Elder Tyokase Tor, who expressed worry over the killings, lamented that the attacks were attempts by herders to take over the state and called on the relevant authorities to rise up to stop the killings.
At the fast and prayer sessions, prayers were offered for the family of the late Rev. Benjamin Iorngaghem and his wife who were killed in Ukum; the church leadership; traditional rulers; top government officials; Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and those planning evil on the church, among other prayer points.
