The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has warned that escalating terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across the country were pushing Nigerians to the edge.

The umbrella body over all Pentecostal churches in the country with over 65 million members also cautioned that growing frustration among citizens could spark dangerous consequences if urgent action is not taken.

The National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, made the disclosure at a press conference in Ibadan on Sunday, to mark the conclusion of a three-day national fasting and prayer programme, organised by the fellowship from May 22 to May 24 to mark the Global Pentecost Day,

He stated that the Christian body had consistently restrained aggrieved Christian youth from retaliatory violence despite repeated attacks, killings and abductions in several parts of the country.

According to him, Nigeria could have slipped into full-scale conflict had religious leaders failed to calm tensions and discourage reprisals. But he noted that the worsening insecurity had become unbearable for many Nigerians.

The PFN president lamented what he described as the nation’s diminishing regard for the sanctity of human life, citing relentless killings, kidnappings, violent attacks and mass displacements across the country.

He specifically mentioned the continued captivity of some of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and Leah Sharibu, who remain in captivity for allegedly refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

The fellowship also recalled the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy and condemned what it described as the failure to bring perpetrators to justice.

Oke described Taraba, Plateau, Benue and Southern Kaduna as ‘daily killing fields’,p while noting that communities in Kwara State had recently come under sustained attacks from heavily armed bandits.

He further expressed concern over the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, which reportedly led to the gruesome killing of a teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, while another victim was shot dead.

PFN accused political leaders of focusing more attention on elections and political calculations than on addressing the worsening security crisis confronting the country. He also clarified that the body is not against any political party or the government, but insecurity. (The Sun)

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