The Taraba State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed concern about the growing number of killings occurring in the Takum and Ussa Local Government Councils.
Militias have allegedly been heavily attacking Taraba, and several people have been killed as a result in the past two weeks.
Along with the killings, the raging militias have damaged valuables worth millions of Naira.
In a statement released on Sunday and obtained by the Daily Post, the association expressed its concern over the situation. It said, “if the government cannot guarantee the security of the people, then the people should be allowed to protect themselves.”
The CAN stated that it “cannot fold its arm and watch innocent people being killed” and emphasized that the attack “on innocent communities stands condemnable and unacceptable.”
The CAN chairman, Rev. Dr Isaiah Magaji Jirapye, signed the statement, which stated that “the attacks, which have been taken place unabating, have resulted in the death of many innocent people, while several commuters also fall victims.”
The CAN leadership wanted to know “why the security checkpoints mounted along that axis (Mararraba-Takum road) were removed prior to the attacks. Where are the security men, why were they withdrawn, who withdrew them, and for what reason?”
According to the organization, “It is high time the Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Mohammedu Buhari began to match words with action in the areas of security, so as to save the nation from imminent collapse.”
It claimed that the lack of security had put the populace through unspeakable hardships and was impeding economic activity.
They also voiced disappointment that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), despite several requests, had decided against providing relief materials to the victims.
