The Christian Association of Nigeria under the leadership of Rev.Dr.Supo Ayokunle, has embarked on a massive mobilization of churches across the nation for peaceful protests on Sunday against continuous killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the country.

It was learnt that the association had sought the support of prominent clerics as well as the endorsement of influential Christians to make the exercise a success.

The Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji,  on Friday said that all was set for the protests against the killings of Christians as well as other Nigerians across the country.

The CAN President, Rev. Olasupo Ayokunle, had in a statement on Wednesday, urged Christians to hold peaceful protests within their church premises on April 29.

He made the call against the backdrop of the Tuesday killing of two priests and 17 worshippers at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Mbalom , Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. Hundreds of persons have been killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the country this year alone, especially in Benue and Taraba states..

CEOAfrica correspondent on Friday gathered that the CAN spokesman stated that all chapters of CAN had been informed of the planned protests, noting that these chapters would send the message to all the churches in their domain.

When asked if CAN would apply for a police permit for the protest, the cleric responded that the church did not need a permit.

CAN has also described the President as being more interested in re-election than in the protection of lives and well-being of Nigerians, noting that the President did not care about the number of citizens that may end up as sacrificial lambs for his ambition.

Speaking to journalists at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the General-Secretary of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake, catalogued the killings and bloodshed across the country, noting that the Buhari-led administration had returned the nation to the Dark Age.

Meanwhile, the Benue State chapter of CAN has said that Christians in the state are set to comply with the directive of the national leadership of the organisation.

The state CAN chairman, Rev. Akpen Leva, further said that after the protest on Sunday, there would be seven days of prayer and fast, to commence on Monday.

He further said that the directive would be communicated to the local churches in Benue latest by Saturday (today).

Taraba CAN chapter orders Christians to dress in black

The Taraba State chapter of the CAN has directed all Christians in the state to dress in black during their protests on Sunday.

Following an emergency meeting over the directive given by Ayokunle, the state chapter called on all Christians in the state to converge on the CAN Secretariat in Jalingo on Sunday by 3:00 pm for the peaceful protest and to come in black attire.

Taraba State Treasurer of CAN , Very Rev. Fr. James Vontih, told Saturday said  that the state chapter of CAN had decided to hold a joint protest, believing it would create more impact.

In the same vein, the General Overseer of the Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry, Bishop Seun Adeoye, said he would mobilise all his church members to participate in the protest as directed by the leadership of CAN. The bishop said the killings in Nigeria, especially the ones targeted at Christians, had to stop.

Ogun State CAN Chairman, Bishop Tunde Akin -Akinsanya, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Rev. Tolulope Taiwo, also said the state chapter of the association would comply with the directive as it “will send a strong signal that the Federal Government is not doing enough to stop the continuous killings of innocent Nigerians, especially the Christians.”

The Methodist Bishop of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Rt. Rev. Lawson Elom, who said his church would comply with the directive, also noted that “it is a way of telling the leadership of the country that all is not well in the country in terms of security.”

Similarly, the Kwara State PFN Chairman, Prof. Timothy Opoola, said that Christians in the state would comply with the directive.

Opoola, who is also the state Chairman of CAN , said “PFN will observe it. All churches will observe it. We are going to meet at one place at UMCA on Sunday at around 4.00pm. We will come with placards.

Also, the Diocesan Bishop, Kwara Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Philip Adeyemo, said, “The Hosts of Heaven are against this government and we also must join the Hosts of Heaven to see that righteousness exalts this nation. Therefore, we will join hands with Christians against injustice in our land.

PFN Chairmen in Cross River and Edo states, Pastor Lawrence Ekwok and Bishop Monday Igbinosa respectively, said CAN’s directive was binding on every Christian.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Calabar Diocese, Tunde Adeleye, also promised to mobilise members of the church to embark on the planned protests.

Ekiti State Chairman of PFN, Bishop Clement Abifade; Ado-Ekiti branch chairman of CAN , Apostle Alex Oluwadamilare; and Bishop of Methodist Church, Port Harcourt, Rt. Rev. Victor Eyo Effiom, described CAN’s directive as appropriate, adding that their churches would comply with it.

The Delta State CAN chairman, Rev. Gideon Oyibo; and his counterpart in the state chapter of the PFN, Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi, said churches across the state would take part in protests to draw government’s attention to the state of insecurity in the country.

Although the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Rev. Fr. Leo Aregbesola, explained that the diocese was still awaiting the official notification about the planned protests, he said the church was willing to comply with it once it was received and approved by the Bishop of the church.

 The Vicar General Pastoral, Very Rev. Fr. Bitrus Lange, who spoke on behalf of the Catholic Bishop, Bauchi Diocese, Bauchi, Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Dachelem, said he had heard about the directive but that the diocese was also still awaiting the official communication.

He, however, described the move as a welcome development and called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religion to be a part of it since it was about Nigeria and security of lives and property.

Also, the Senior Pastor, Christ Alive Power Assembly, Rafin Zurfi, Bauchi, Bishop Emmanuel Kanti, said he was aware of the protest and was fully in support of it.

Meanwhile, the Spiritual Father and Chairman, Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church World Wide, (Ayo ni o), Most Rev. Samuel Abidoye, has decried the recent killing of priests and other worshippers in Benue and urged Buhari to improve on the security of lives and property in Nigeria.