The president, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor Saturday condemned the attack on the convoy of three highly placed traditional rulers in Borno State — the Emirs of Gwoza, Uba and Askira, by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, was killed and several others injured.
A statement issued by Pastor Oritesajafor in Abuja lamented the attack, saying that it came at a time the wise counsel of the traditional institution is most needed to fight insurgency in that part of the country and to help check moral decadence in society. He described the killing of the Emir as “most unfortunate”, saying that it demonstrated the evil plans and agenda of the Boko Haram sect.
The statement read, “On behalf of my family and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, I wish to commiserate with the family of the late Alhaji Idrissa Timta, the Emir of Gwoza and the families of those, who lost their lives in the recent attack. It is true that words alone cannot console the families of the deceased but I urge them to take solace in the fact that God is in control.”
Oritsejafor, who reminded Nigerians of the need to continue to unite in the fight against terrorism in the country, said it is an act that all must denounce and fight “with all that we have got. Probably, the emirs were attacked for their condemnation of Boko Haram; but this must not deter us.”