Christian groups in Nigeria held protests on Sunday to call out the federal government over its failure to put a stop to the violence committed by militants across the country.
The protests were organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) last week following an attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 17 worshippers in St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Benue State.
In Ondo State, Christians were outraged after the governor failed to directly address them when they protested in front of the Government House. The deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, tried to explain the governor's absence, but he was chased away by the protesters.
"It is the governor or nobody; we voted for him and we expect him to take our issues seriously. The deputy governor should go back, we don't want him to address us," the protesters said, as reported by The Vanguard.
Protesters in Oyo State stayed within their churches instead of marching through the streets. Clergymen in Oritamefa Baptist Church in Ibadan, led by CAN President Dr. Supo Ayokunle, held placards such as "Enough of Bloodshed in Nigeria," "FG, stop these wicked acts" and "CAN says no to religious killings."
In Ekiti State, Christians marched from the CAN state headquarters in Adebayo/Opopogbooro area to the Government House to deliver a letter to the President Muhammadu Buhari through Gov. Ayo Fayose.
Meanwhile, the Most Rev. Sunday Ola Makinde, who previously served as the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, has urged Buhari to fire service chiefs and reorganize the nation's military apparatus.
"The situation in Benue State is lamentable but for once, I think Mr. President has got it right this time, at least, for coming out and expressing his regret at the right time and warning us that it should not degenerate into a religious crisis," Makinde said.
"The President should now hearken to the voice of reason which has been agitating for a change in the military apparatus of the nation. That is my candid opinion now," he added.
In Benue State, the protesters called on Buhari to resign over his failure to stop the violence across the country.
CAN also called on the international community to intervene in order to prevent a religious crisis in the country, stating that the recent attack in the state was a jihad that needs to be stopped.
