By Our Correspondent in Lokoja
The Kogi State Inter-Religious Council (KOSIREC) on Thursday, condemned, in its entirety, attack on worship centres on people embarking on prayer walks or exercise for peace in the state and the nation at large.
The Reporters, an online publication, recalls that a peaceful prayer walk on Monday in Anyigba, Dekina Local Governmemt Area of Kogi ended in chaos as thugs attacked the procession.
The prayer walk was led by Bishop David Sanda of Love Oasis Church, Anyigba, Pastor Silas Edogbo and other clerics.
The procession retreated to DUNAMIS Church in Anyigba to intercede on behalf of the nation, but were attacked mid-way by thugs who unleashed mayhem on the worshippers.
The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kogi, Dr John Ibenu and Co-Chairman,KOSIREC; and the Chairman of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and Co-Chairman KOSIREC, Ambassador Usman Bello, expressed the feeling during a joint news conference in Lokoja.
The Kogi Inter-Religious also expressed support for the legitimate agitations of the Nigerian youths, especially with regard to ENDSARS protesters.
”KOSIREC supports, identifies with and stands with all the legitimate agitations of the youths of the nation, especially with ENDSARS.
”KOSIREC also identifies endemic and systemic problems of unemployment, injustice, corruption and closure of schools as aggravators of the protests across the nation.
”We condemn the use of force and live ammunition to suppress protests in any part of the Nation.
”KOSIREC condemns any and every attack on worship centres of people embarking on prayer walks or exercises for peace in the State and Nation.
”KOSIREC condemns all forms of destruction of public or private property by hoodlums who hijacked the ENDSARS protest. .
”We cannot afford to destroy infrastructure as it is a collective loss to all,” the two religious bodies said.
The council called on Government at all levels to urgently proffer very practicable solution to the demands of the protesters and make it public, to pacify the tempers.
The Inter-Religious council also enjoined Government to set up Judicial panels that would involve lawyers, NBA, youths, religious groups, traditional institutions, CSO, the Police, NANS, ASUU, women groups and all relevant stakeholders to address all the grievances comprehensively.
It further called on the adherents of the two religions to devote Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th of October for active prayer, to God for forgiveness and mercy on the nation and the state “to grant us peace and progress.”
”All languages that will aggravate tension MUST be stopped immediately. We call on all citizens to rise and be part of the solutions and not the problems.
”We call on our members to resist every attempt by any group or section that will want to make this a religious issue. This monster affects everyone irrespective of religion.
”The nation needs more prayer at this trying time more than any other time and so we call on all our followers to devote Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th of October for active prayer to God for forgiveness and mercy on the Nation and the State to grant us peace and progress.
”We urge all citizens at this time to constructively support, advise and engage the Government for a peaceful resolution to this impasse,’ it added.
