By Sunday Elijah
A Nigerian Church, Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), a.k.a. Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, says its members are being killed and abducted despite the Government’s claim that it has uncovered sponsors of insurgency.
“Nothing seems to improve. We have become vulnerable in the hands of kidnappers, Boko Haram and ritual killers. Nigerians have never been barbaric and in a state of anarchy like this!” EYN President, Rev Joel Stephen Billi, said while addressing members on security situation of Nigeria, at the 75th Assembly of the Church in its headquarters in Kwarhi, Adamawa State.
Rev. Billi who questioned Government’s claim of having unearthed sponsors of insurgency asked, “If truly the Federal Government is fighting insurgency and has uncovered the sponsors, why is the war endless?
The Church which draws most of its membership from Adamawa and Borno states says insurgents have continually attacked its worship centres and other assets, with 170 branch churches mostly in Borno State remaining shut.
According to it, insecurity is worsening and the church continues to be a major victim in terms of the killing of its members, destruction of local church branches and loss of revenue.
Speaking with journalists, General Secretary of the EYN, Rev Daniel Mbaya, said the security situation had not improved since last year when the church held its last 74th Annual General Council Meeting.
“Many of our members were abducted recently and we have not heard about them. Many of our people cannot go to their farms. The situation is still terrible.
“Over 170 churches that insurgency forced to close are yet to open. We have four District churches behind the Gwoza mountains (in Borno State) that are still closed,” Mbaya said,