The Christian Association of Nigeria, on Wednesday, expressed deep concern over last Saturday’s multiple suicice bombings in the Gwoza town of Borno State, saying the country must not allow a return of the era where suicide bombing by the Boko Haram insurgents was rampant.
The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, said the Gwoza incidents called for urgent and collective actions to combat terrorism.
Last Saturday’s suicide bombings in Gwoza were the deadliest in recent times and generated significant attention both locally and internationally.
The attacks, carried out by suspected female suicide bombers, struck a wedding, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon.
As of Monday, the death toll from the attack was 32. While 14 victims were discharged from the hospital, 12 remained on admission battling for their lives.
The Defence Headquarters, on Tuesday, described suicide bombings as acts of cowardice by Boko Haram terrorists.
The DHQ, which insisted that Boko Haram insurgents had been significantly degraded, said the attacks were an attempt at reprisal by the insurgents following heavy onslaughts against them in recent times.
CAN, on Wednesday, in a statement by Okoh, said the country must not allow a resurgence of bombings by Boko Haram.
Okoh said, “The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply worried by the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which have claimed numerous lives and injured many others.
“We are concerned about the resurgence of suicide bombing in our country and the threat it poses to the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. This senseless act of violence is a stark reminder of the evil that terrorism represents, and the need for collective action to defeat it.”
He commended the relentless efforts of security agents working to contain the threat of terrorism and urged them to continue their crucial work.
“We commend the security agents who have been working tirelessly to contain the threat of terrorism in our country. We encourage them not to relent in their efforts, as every necessary intervention is welcome to prevent a relapse into the dark days of suicide attacks.
“We must not let down our guards, as the situation could escalate and affect not only innocent lives but also worship centers and other large gatherings,” Okoh noted.
CAN urged the government to intensify its efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Religious leaders and all Nigerians were encouraged to unite against terrorism and violence, fostering peace, love, and harmony.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday that its medical team supported the Borno State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri in performing lifesaving surgeries and providing emergency treatment for the victims of the Gwoza blasts.
It said it provided drugs and consumables to support the hospital’s emergency response.
“It is heart-wrenching to see civilians killed and wounded. We strongly remind all those involved in the fighting that civilians, especially children and women, must be spared, and that hospitals must be sanctuaries of life, not scenes of deadly violence,” the Deputy Head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, said.
While noting that indiscriminate attacks and attacks targeting civilians are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, the ICRC stressed that healthcare facilities and personnel should be protected and must not be attacked.
“We will continue our support for the civilians who are bearing the brunt of more than a decade of armed conflict including those displaced and injured,” the statement added.(Punch)
