* Seeks FG’s assistance on sustained attacks by terrorists on Benue LGs
The Methodist Church Nigeria has commended the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for contemplating the establishment of State Police to curb the growing rates of insecurity across the country.
This was even as the church called on President Tinubu, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia and relevant agencies to come to the aid of the people of Agatu, Otukpo and Apa Local Government of Benue State, who have come under sustained attacks from the Fulani herdsmen for the past weeks and days.
Rising from a three-day Apex Leadership and Prayer Retreat for the Dioceses in the
Northern Region held at the Norcross Memorial Cathedral, Otukpo, Benue State weekend, the church also urged the government to ensure that the State Police be properly equipped and funded when established.
The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, signed a communiqué at the end of the retreat.
According to the communique, the leadership of the church called on the “government at all levels to rise up to the challenges and do all within her powers to make life comfortable for the masses”.
While condemning the unprovoked attacks and killings of innocent citizens in some communities within Apa, Otukpo, Agatu and other parts of Benue State, the religious body also called on government and security agencies to do the needful in bringing the situation under control.
The communique partly read: “That the retreat encourages all Methodist leaders and members to join forces with the Prelate, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba (JP) in prayers and crystallizing our vision for building the church.
“That the retreat encourages all Christian faithful to intensify prayers for divine interventions in the affairs of our nation Nigeria, especially in the area of insecurity and the economic hardship facing the masses.
“That the retreat calls on the government at all levels to rise up to the challenges and do all within her powers to make life comfortable for the masses.
“The retreat decries and condemn the unprovoked attacks and killing of innocent citizens in some communities within Apa, Agatu Local Government Councils and other parts of Benue State and calls on government and security agencies to do the needful in bringing the situation under control.
“That the government should utilise the proceeds of fuel subsidy to create jobs and put up measures that can ameliorate the suffering of the masses.
“The retreat commends the government on the decision to allow the State Police to come to existence and encourage that they should be properly equipped and
funded.
“That government should ensure that our borders are tight, so as to check its
porousness to stop the influx of criminal elements from our neighbouring countries who may pose security threats to the nation.”
President Tinubu had Thursday, set up a committee made up of state governors and Federal Government officials to work out modalities for the establishment of the long agitated State Police and its funding and equipment.
