Okowa decries rising attacks on clergy men, worship centres

Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has decried the rising cases of kidnapping, killings and attacks on clergy men and worship centres in the country.

The governor made the remark at a security seminar tagged "Securing worship centres and clergymen in contemporary Nigeria", which was organised by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters at the Grace Cathedral Church of God Mission, Asaba, on Monday, January 18, 2021.

Represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, Okowa stated that while security operatives are working hard to apprehend the perpetrators of heinous crimes, it has become imperative to equip church leaders and families with basic knowledge on personal security and safety at places of worship.

According to him, in recent times, the nation has witnessed rising cases of abduction and killing of pastors.

"Although no fatality has been recorded among abducted clergymen in Delta, yet this unholy trend calls for concern.

"Given the turbulence and uncertainties that have plagued this nation in our recent political history, there is no gainsaying the fact that it is the prayer of the righteous that have kept this country together," he stated.

Gov Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State (Twitter: @IAOkowa) Pulse Nigeria

He said his administration is committed to the security of the state and the peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic nationalities.

"We have continued to bolster our security architecture to ensure that together with your prayers, we win the battle against armed robbery, kidnapping, and all forms of criminality.

"As you may be aware, we recently inaugurated 'Operation Delta Hawk', a joint task force with the mandate to take the fight to these criminals, be they bandits, kidnappers or gun-totting cattle herders," Okowa stated.

He commended the efforts of the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies for the great work they are doing to maintain law and order and called for prayers for the success of law enforcement in the state and country.

In his welcome address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, said it is imperative that Christians continue to pray for the peace, security and progress of the nation.

"It is not news any more that there's terrorism and wholesome kidnapping in the country and it has even extended to our state, though not so severe.

"If you watch, all of us have heard severally, pastors being kidnapped and killed. Before they start burning churches in Delta, we want to make sure that the clergy knows a little bit of what to do to prevent that.

"The bible says watch and pray, it didn't say pray only, that's the essence of it. We are being proactive. We want to make sure that we are equipped spiritually and otherwise so we can prevent it from happening," Okorote said.

He said the church in the state is committed to the fight against COVID-19 by ensuring that all necessary preventive protocols are obeyed.

Keynote Speaker and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Revd. Joseph Hayab, said it is important to establish that Nigeria has a security challenge and find ways to tackle it.

"I have been talking about kidnapping, payment of ransom and sometimes killing of pastors in parts of the country especially Kaduna State.

"The situation may not be same here but how can we stop the killings and kidnappings to ensure that our worship centres are secured?" he asked.