by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
A coalation of Christian Youth Leaders (at a press conference), comprising of: Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST), Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Wing (YOWICAN), Tafawa Balewa (Bauchi), Kaduna and Plateau States, has rejected the false narrative of ‘farmers-herders clash’ (or ‘land/communal clash’) used in describing these attacks, and demands that “a spade be called a spade. What is going on is deliberate ethnic cleansing.”
Speaking on the insecurity in the Middle-Belt Churches, leader of the Collation, Jathro Dooyum Moor, on Friday during a press conference in Jos, said this would help Nigeria find lasting solutions to the incessant attacks on their communities.
While demanding the immediate return (and NOT just resettlement) of their people, who have been displaced from their ancestral lands (homes), Jathro Moor called on State Governments in all affected states to issue Certificates Of Occupancies to all displaced persons over their ancestral lands, in order to recognize their genuine titles.
“We demand that the right of farmers to cultivate their farmlands without harassment from cattle rearers be recognized by law and protected,” he stated.
“We are aware that the attackers (religious extremists) are well armed, with sophisticated weapons. We, therefore, demand that they be disarmed to guard against other Nigerians taking up arms in self-defense,” Mr Moor noted.
According to him, they also demand that the perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted, according to the law, because they are not spirits.
He urged security actors to be impartial and professional in carrying out their constitutional duties – of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians, irrespective of religious inclinations, while speeding-up trials for indigenous Christian youths in detention by security forces.
“We call on the government at all levels to always ensure the equal distribution of the commonwealth of the people, irrespective of religious inclinations,” he said.
They also call on the government of Bauchi State to respect the right and wishes of the people of Zaar Chiefdom to nominate their chief without an imposition from any quarters.
According to him, there is the need for a review of the security architecture to strengthen community policing, which would increase the confidence of the communities in the security forces.
Mr Jathro Dooyum Moor stressed that, these demands will be what will restore the faith of their people, millions of whom are already displaced and are living as IDPs in the Nigerian State, adding that, by this act, it will allow them to see that the government is committed to justice which is fundamental to peace.
“It must also be looked into as a matter of urgency – that the political class should desist from politicizing these situations, as it could lead to a breakdown of law and order,” he noted.