Perennial yuletide attacks targeted at churches: A call on government to take action 

It is no longer news that Churches and Christian Communities have continued to be at the receiving end of the various violent attacks by terrorist groups in Nigeria.

These attacks are so disheartening that these groups make bold their plans to attack, yet, they’ll attack and unleash mayhem on these defenceless citizens.

Few days ago, there are some viral videos of these terrorists announcing their plan to attack churches during this Christmas period. What effrontery!!!
I hope our military have strategized to counter them.

Only yesterday, some communities in Kogi State have be directed by the traditional ruler’s council and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the area to shelve all Church activities during this yuletide season to avoid falling victims.
How long can this continue.

My call is on government to be proactive and direct the military to be on red alert, gather intelligence and neutralize these terrorists.

Churches, and by extension Christians and Christian Communities should be protected from these calculated and targeted violent attacks.

It is not a crime for the government to seek help, because from every indication, it is very clear that these terrorists, by whatever name you call them – Boko Haram, Bandits, kidnappers etc, have overwhelmed the government.

It will be a big shame on the part of government and the military, if these terrorists make good their threat and carry out their evil attacks on churches and communities this season just as they have boasted.

This piece is like a voice in the wilderness calling on relevant security agencies to be on top of the situation and keep the citizens safe.

Government should always bear in mind that its primary responsibility is to guarantee the life and property of its citizen, and anything short of that is a collosal failure.

The time to act is now.

*Uche* *UDUNGWOR*
President,
New Horizons for Peace and Charity Initiative