The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the rescue of Pastor Bulud Yakuru from the Boko Haram terrorists before it is too late.
President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev Samson Ayokunle, in a statement said Pastor Yakuru of EYN Church of the Brethren was reportedly abducted on 24 December, 2020 when terrorists attacked Pemi Village in Borno State, killing no fewer than seven people.
The Pastor according to Reverend Ayokunle has been in the custody of the Abubakar Shekau-led faction of Boko Haram since December 2020, was on Wednesday, February 24, reportedly given a one-week ultimatum for their demands to be met by government or Pastor Yakuru will be killed.
Though not aware of the demand, CAN have appealed to the President, the military and the Borno State government to ensure that Pastor Yakuru is not murdered like the district chairman of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) and CAN Chairman of Michika Local Government in Adamawa State, Rev Lawan Andimi.
The leadership of CAN went on to say that the freedom of Pastor Yakuru is a litmus test for the new Service Chiefs with the whole world watching to gauge their performance.
The christian body lamented serial incidents of mass abduction of school children and other nefarious activities by bandits and terrorists as totally embarrassing and a cause for concern since nowhere in the country is safe.
While assuring of earnest continuous prayers, CAN also called on the government to intensify efforts by declaring a state of emergency in the security sector of the country.
CAN also advised that all public secondary schools – boarding or otherwise – in the Northern part of the country should be closed until the security situation improves. The Police should be directed to recruit more personnel with a view to assigning effective and well armed standby force to every secondary school in the North and other parts of the country.
