Deeper Life Church massacre: CAN declares 3- day fasting, prayer

The
Christian
Association of
Nigeria (CAN) in
Kogi has declared
a three-day
fasting and
prayer to solicit
divine
intervention in
the nation’s
security
situation.
The CAN
Chairman in the
State,
Archbishop
Emmanuel
Egbunu, made
the declaration in
Lokoja on
Wednesday
when he
addressed
newsmen.
He was
responding to the
killing of 17
Christians at the
Deeper Life Bible
Church, Otite in
Okene, on
Monday.
Egbunu, the
Bishop of the
Anglican Diocese
of Lokoja, said
though the
attack was not
an isolated one
against
Christians at
worship in recent
times, it was a
new and
dangerous
dimension in Kogi.
“Our hearts are
heavy over the
cold blooded
murder.
“This unprovoked
attack against
unarmed,
innocent citizens,
right in the place
of worship,
leaves us in no
doubt that it
was
premeditated,
calculated and
clearly targeted.
“We call on
Christians to pray
and fast in their
assemblies
between
Wednesday and
Friday to solicit
divine
intervention in
our nation and
state.
“This should be
continued in the
foreseeable
future.’’
The chairman
reminded the
killers that God
would call
everyone to
account for
unprovoked
bloodshed in
peace times and
that no one could
escape His
justice.
He called on all
Nigerians to turn
to God in true
repentance,
adding that sin
and wickedness
constituted a
reproach that
could only lead to
more darkness.
He decried the
increasing rate of
insecurity and
the abuse of
Christian grace
and forbearance.
The chairman
called on people
of goodwill to join
in the campaign
against ethical
and moral
bankruptcy in the
country.
Egbunu
commended Gov.
Idris Wada and
the security
operatives for
their prompt
response to the
Okene killings.
He said that CAN
and the Council
of the `Ulama’ in
the state were
forging peaceful
co-existence and
urged adherents
of the religions to
reject evil acts.
Meanwhile,
Pastor Raymond
Ogunjobi, the
Overseer of the
Deeper Life
Christian Church
in the state, said
that 17 persons
died in the
attack.
According to
Ogunjobi, 15
members of the
church were killed
on the spot while
two died on the
way to hospital.
He added that 10
injured persons
were receiving
treatment at
Okene General
Hospital while
eight were
admitted at the
Federal Medical
Centre, Lokoja.
(NAN)