By Joseph Edegbo
The United States Government has honoured the late Deborah Samuel, a 200-level Home Economics student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, who was gruesomely murdered on campus by some Islamic extremists on May, 12, 2022.
The US Office of Religious Freedom, is saddled with the responsibility of promoting universal respect for freedom of religion or belief.
“In May, a mob brutally stoned, flogged, and burned to death college student, Deborah Samuel, in Nigeria, in an attack fuelled by hatred and blasphemy allegations, even as authorities attempted to stop it.
“We honour her life as we continue the work to end such vicious violence”, the office stated on its website.
The US Ambassador-at-Large, Rashad Hussain, who heads the office, noted that too many people around the world who face violence based on their religion or belief are not heard because oppression keeps them hidden from view or it is too dangerous for their names to be shared.
On August 22, the US marked its fourth annual International Day, Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
On May 22, 2022, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN directed all churches in Nigeria to hold peaceful protest in reaction to Deborah’s murder.
In doing so, the Pastor in charge of the Zaria Zone of the Christian Evangelical Fellowship of Nigeria, CEFN, Rev. Emmanuel Abuh was quick to ask the congregation at the church in Kakuri, Kaduna, whether it is a crime being a Christian in Nigeria, having noted with sad the persistent persecution of the faithful in the country.
It was against this background, the congregation went into prayer session led by the Reverend, seeking God’s intervention:-
“We are sad. Jehovah protect your children. We are here asking for your intervention. Assist us Lord, stand to defend your children asking for your help.
“Father in heaven, we are to plead and ask for your help. This is your fight , stand and defend your children as we protest. We are in dire need of your help. We are being driven, cutting with knife.
“Let the enemies be scattered”, which was thunderously followed with praises in Igala dialect: Chatekomi Oh Jehovah Uwe ke Chatekomi….
“Whoever persecute your children, will never escape your punishment.
We are asking God that if anybody is after our lives because we believe in you and we are trusting in you, Lord we ask, that person will not escape your punishment .
“Father bring judgement upon the person. The fact is that you are the only way, the truth and life, and without you, nobody can get to God.
And also because of that, we testify your faith and this morning strengthen the faith of your children.
“And ask Lord that you defend the Christian. We don’t carry matchet, we don’t carry Cutlas, we don’t carry bow and arrow, we don’t carry gun AK47, but we carry the name of the Lord .
So, the name of the Lord we know shall win the battle. We will overcome all the evil forces,
“The Church of God will march on”, Rev Abuh concludes and with
thunderous A-m-e-n, from the congregation.
( For record)