CAN accuses govt of condoning criminality for economic motives

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Samson Ayokunle, has accused government of tolerating insurgency, kidnapping and armed banditry for economic returns.

Briefing reporters yesterday at Government House, Maiduguri after his two-day visit to internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps in Borno, the CAN boss stated that were the people in power supervising the various communities, insurgency, kidnappings and armed banditry would have been nipped in the bud.

His words: “To me and to some extent, government allowed them. If the people in power supervise communities. If they are not in support in any way; if they are not benefiting from these criminal activities, they could have nipped them in the bud.”

He cautioned against the return of the refugees to their ancestral homes for now, stating that the anti-insurgency war had been won.

Also, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev Hilary Odilichukwu Okeke, has expressed the belief that the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls, particularly Leah Shuaibu, would regain their freedom, as the clerics are not relenting in their efforts to achieving that.

According to him, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has formally involved the Holy Sea – Pope Francis – in the matter.

He confirmed that the papacy had reached out to the president on the issue.

The, cleric, who addressed journalists yesterday in Nnewi, decried the seemingly rising spate of idol worship, especially among contemporary Christendom. He advised faithful to shun idolatry in all ramifications.