Abuja, Nigeria - Nigerian Christians have said they can no longer depend on the government to protect them against what they called 'Islamic Jihad', hence will have no choice than to defend themselves if attacked again. The declaration was made by the head of the umbrella Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, during a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in the capital city of Abuja Wednesday night, three days after coordinated attacks on churches in Madalla, near Abuja; Jos, capital of northern Plateau state and Damaturu in Yobe state, also in the north.

The federal government said Wednesday that 34 persons were killed and 62 injured in the Madalla attack alone, while rescue officials put the total death toll at over 40. The Islamic sect Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Pastor Oritsejafor, who earlier Wednesday visited Madalla, said the attacks represented a 'declaration of war' on Christians, and blamed Muslim leaders for their failure to roundly condemn the violence.

“Having reviewed the pattern trend and frequency with which these terror crimes occur, it fits into the profile of Islamic Jihad over the years on the Christian community, which are properly contextualised. It is considered as a declaration of war on Christians and Nigeria as an entity.

“The Christian community has found the responses of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other Islamic bodies on this matter to be unacceptable and an abdication of their responsibilities over their extremist members. It is on record that most religious, traditional and
political leaders in the North have not come out openly to condemn the extremist activities of Boko Haram. We hold them responsible for what is happening, because they have not taken concrete steps to check the excesses of their members.

“The Christian community is fast losing confidence in government’s ability to protect our rights to religious liberties and life. The consensus is that the Christian community nationwide would be left with no other option than to respond appropriately if there are any further attacks on our
members, churches and properties,' the CAN leader said in the association's strongest response yet to attacks targeting Christians.

President Jonathan reacted to the statement by calling on Christians and Muslims to work together to combat terrorism, and promised that the government would revamp the security system so it can more effectively face the challenge posed by the attacks.

'I will plead with religious leaders, both Muslims and Christian leaders, to work together because terrorism is like a cancer to the body; it starts from somewhere and spreads to all the organs of the body. It is like a flood and a big storm, it starts from somewhere and before you know, it goes to places you never expected.

“At the security level, we are doing our best; we will restructure; we will re-adjust and make sure we get a team that will meet with the challenge we are facing today,' the President said.

Fears that the attacks on churches could trigger a religious war heightened when some explosives were thrown into an Arabic school in Sapele, Delta State in the predominantly-Christian south, on Tuesday, injuring seven.

Pana 29/12/2011