Christianity under attack – CAN condemns DSS invitation of leaders

Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Thursday condemned the interrogation of four members of its Trust Fund by the Department of State Services, DSS.

The body said it is now obvious that “Christianity is under siege in Nigeria.”

Director of Legal and Public Affairs in CAN, Kwamkur Samuel, in Abuja said recent attacks had confirmed speculations that there were plans to turn Nigeria to an Islamic state.

His reaction follows invitation of BoT members of CAN Trust Fund who are also leaders of the National Christian Elders Forum by the DSS.

They were grilled Tuesday evening at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, following a video in which they were soliciting for funds for CAN to rebuild churches destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

The leaders include a former Chief of General Staff, during the administration of IBB, Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (retd.), representing TEKAN/ECWA bloc of CAN; a retired High Court Judge, Justice Kalajine Anigbogu, representing Christian Council of Nigeria bloc; Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, representing Organisation of African Instituted Churches and a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, representing the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

Similarly, President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, and its General Secretary, Dr. Musa Asake, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dame Priscilla Kuye (SAN), representing the Catholic bloc, the President of NCEF, Solomon Asemota (SAN); its General Secretary, Bosun Emmanuel have been asked to appear.

Samuel, however, said “It is very obvious that the Church in Nigeria is under siege. Nigerian Christians have been facing serious battles on three fronts: Boko Haram is dealing with the Church, Fulani herdsmen are against the Church and government is also on the Church. All these point to the fact that there is an underground plan to Islamise Nigeria.

“For instance, there was a foreign news from the UK which alleged that military helicopters were seen dropping arms for Fulani herdsmen and no government establishment has given any explanation that it is not true.

“If the government or its relevant security agencies have not disproved that but they are harassing men of God and pastors who are raising funds to rebuild the Church, while government has failed to provide relief materials, then there is a problem.”