Rev. Stephen Panya, President of ECWA.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA has called on the federal and state governments to send relief materials to displaced and distressed victims of recent attacks in Irigwe chiefdom.
The displaced persons are taking refuge in Miango town, Kwall central, Jos and houses of relatives.
ECWA President, Rev. Stephen Panya, said the displaced person are hungry, urged governments to deposit funds with select reputable hospitals for treatment of victims who sustained injuries.
He appealed to Nigerians to open up their homes for the displaced persons, provide food, water, clothing and medical services to those they can.
The cleric who spoke in Jos said actions should be taken to “stop the genocide taking place in Irigwe land.”
His words, “… For over 21 years, the Irigwe people of Miango, a predominant Christian community, have been under attacks from Fulani Militia that resulted in loss of lives, properties and farmland.”
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“The IDPs from these villages are just camped within Miango and Kwall town. The situation is terrible and need urgent attention. Yet, even these two villages of refuge are presently threatened with genocidal attacks from the militias.
“What is so sad and inexplicable is that, many of the villages, where these killings and burnings are taking place, are basically located behind the 3rd Armored Division Barrack of the Nigerian Army, yet, these militias are allowed to continue their heinous murders and carnage without any intervention by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
“This in the least, is very fastly eroding the confidence of the populace in the military and security agencies, as unbiased protectors of all, devoid of tribe, ethnicity or religion. We call on the state and federal governments and security agencies to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian Army and all security agencies to stop this genocide.
“We also pray that this incidence will not end as usual, with no single AK-47 wielding militia being arrested, persecuted and brought to justice, while the indigenous locals, who tried to defend themselves with crude instruments, are paraded as aggressors, as had happened in some past incidences. Justice must be done and seen to be done.”
“As a predominant Christian community under attack, the body of Christ within Nigeria and the world at large is particularly and deeply affected with this crisis. We call upon the entire Christendom to return to God in deep confession, repentance, supplication as we uphold our Brethren in prayer. God is watching and listening to our prayers and supplications. We should not give up calling upon Him and depend on Him wholly for this situation to be brought to an end, especially that all human authorities have woefully failed us.”
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He charged Christians not to lose hope saying, “The gates of hades shall not prevail against the church of God in Jesus name! (Matthew 16:18). We should like king David in 1st Samuel 30:6, continue to find strength in the Lord!
“Nevertheless, ECWA in obedience to Matthew 5:9 injunction, shall as much as God gives us the grace, continue to work with the government, NIREC, security and all other agencies for lasting peace that is premised on equity, justice and fair play”, Rev. Panya said.
