PRESIDENT of Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, Rev. Dachollom
Datiri has warned that the Nigerian Church will be at risk the
moment the Islamic fundamentalist group, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna
Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (Western education is forbidden), better
known as Boko Haram establishes a caliphate in the Middle Belt
state of Plateau.
The COCIN president, in an interview with Martyrs CRY, a newsletter
of the Voice of the Christian Martyrs stressed the need for Nigerian
Christians to unite and intensify prayers as well as give generously
to reinforce the Christians in the Middle Belt, arguing that
Christianity in that region may soon collapse under Islamic pressure
on the Middle Belt.
Rev. Datiri maintained that the impact of Islamic fundamentalists on
the church in the region is unquantifiable, stressing that the
destruction is unbelievable.
“In Bauchi State, the Tafawa Balewa Area has been under constant
attacks. Even after the elections, the congregations there were
attacked. It is only the grace of God that is sustaining the brethren
there. Coming to Plateau State, communities outside Jos are being
attacked almost on a daily basis.
“I cannot tell you how many Regional Church Councils have been
decimated in these attacks. All these are communities not far from
Jos. The Muslims kill Christians and destroy their properties. The
media report is usually that these communities have been attacked
by unknown gunmen or by Fulani herdsmen. The underlying motive
is to destroy the Church.
“Even in Nasarawa State, we have lost no less than five
congregations. When you ask who is responsible for the
destruction, security officers will claim they are unknown gunmen or
Fulani herdsmen. Yet, in most instances, they come dressed in
military uniform. Where did the Muslim insurgents obtain the
military uniform that they wear when going to destroy churches?”
the cleric asked.
Asked about the implications of the attacks, Rev. Datiri said his
church is the predominant denomination in Plateau as well as in
some parts of Bauchi state, maintaining that COCIN forms probably
70% to 80% of Christians on the Plateau.
“If they succeed in destroying COCIN, they would have succeeded in
eradicating a sizeable portion of the Church on the Plateau. Since
their goal is to wipe out Christianity in Plateau State, in their bid to
overrun Nigeria with Islam, eliminating COCIN on the Plateau is
tantamount to overrunning Nigeria with Islam.
“Plateau State”, he further argued “is a big hurdle for the Islamists in
their quest and overcoming COCIN on the Plateau is a sure sign that
they have conquered Christianity in Nigeria.
“So, they concentrate their forces on eradicating Christianity on the
Plateau. It is only by the grace of God that we are surviving. We
keep asking God for strength, wisdom, and courage. But, I must tell
you, it is heartbreaking. At times I receive phone calls in the middle
of the night from members asking for help and in the background, I
hear the sound of gunshots. It is tragic,” he narrated.
According to the church leader, the most veritable remedy to the
attacks is for the Church to be united, “speak with one voice and let
the world know that Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen are
orchestrated attacks on the Church. All the Christians in Nigeria
must see these attacks as intentionally designed destruction against
the Body of Christ in Nigeria. The unity of the Church will go a long
way in solving the problem.”
“The target of all these Islamic attacks is the Church and the goal is
to destroy the Church so that Islam can take over,” Datiri said,
lamenting that in the midst of the ferocious attacks, compromise is
still noticed amongst ministers of the gospel, even in the affected
areas.
Acknowledging that it is a serious problem in the Church, the COCIN
helmsman said: “As the devil is working through Boko Haram and
the other insurgents from outside to destroy the Church, we also
notice that unsanctified ministers of the gospel also weaken the
Church from within.”
He stressed the urgent need for the Nigerian Church to unite to
confront this evil agenda to eradicate Christianity in the country, and
intensify prayers and intercession, particularly for the Christians in
the North.
The cleric debunked the argument that the objective of Boko Haram
was not religious, arguing that the average Muslim believes that he
is born to rule and dominate every other person in Nigeria. “To
them, everything is the same — religion, politics, commerce, and so
on. So, if you do not practise the religion that they believe in, then
you imply that you are not under their control and they will fight
that.
“The only thing that will save the Church is for us to be united. If the
Nigerian Church can unite, they will stop these Islamic attacks. I
think that the biggest problem Nigerian Christians have is that we
lack genuine Christian conviction. For many Nigerian Christians,
their faith is superficial, it is only on the surface. We need to
develop deep faith and the way we can easily do that is to pay
attention to Biblical discipleship. If we cultivate genuine Christian
conviction, our problems will be over.
“One important area in which we appeal for the support of
Christians nationwide is meeting the needs of the victims of these
attacks. In most instances, those who survive are often
impoverished. Every means of livelihood is intentionally destroyed
by these rampaging forces.
“Their homes are burnt to the ground, their properties are burnt,
their food is destroyed and even their farmland is destroyed. The
Fulani herdsmen intentionally go to the farms and destroy the food
crops. The aim is to impoverish the people, destroy their economy
so that they can dominate and control them.
“There is a great need for material and financial support for the
brethren undergoing these persecutions. They need clothes, foods,
medical treatment and so on,” Rev. Datiri appealed to fellow
Christians in the country.
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