The Presidency on Tuesday assured that President Muhammadu Buhari was working hard to secure the release of all hostages taken by Boko Haram and to re-unite them with their families.
The Presidency spoke in reaction to recent statements credited to the Christian Association of Nigeria on Christian hostages held by terrorist groups.
CAN had, in a statement by its President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, warned about grave dangers ahead, saying that the Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province were working together, attacking more Christian villages.
Recall that on Christmas Day, ISWAP executed 11 hostages, 10 of whom were Christians, to avenge the death of their leaders, Abu bakr al-Baghdadi and Abul-Hasan Al-Muhajir in Iraq and Syria, respectively.
The body stated, “CAN Chairman in Michika, Adamawa State, Rev Lawan Andimi, was abducted by Boko Haram terrorists some days back when they invaded the predominantly Christian community. We were told troops repelled the terrorists but not until they had successfully forced Rev Andimi into their Toyota Hilux and took him away.
“The innocent cleric, in a video footage released by his captors, has been making appeal to the Federal Government, the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri, and the leadership of CAN to come to his aid.
“As if that was not enough, there was an attack on Kasaya village, another Christian community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday about 6.30am. The attackers were said to have abducted 41 people, including a pastor, Rev Joshua Samaila. Up till now, nobody knows what has become of them.
“Similarly, on 27th November, 2019, Mr Bitrus Bwala, a principal lecturer at the College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State, and 10 others, who are all Christians, were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists. Bwala, in a short video released recently, cried out for help. But up till now, the government has yet to secure their freedom or say anything about them.
“These are all evidence of Christian persecution in the country, and when we cried out in support of the position of the US Government, some people would say it was untrue. If criminals are invading Christian communities, killing and abducting people unchallenged, what do we call it if not deliberate persecution?”
Reacting, the Presidency said “security forces of Nigeria are working continuously to return those taken hostage by Boko Haram to their families, friends and communities. In doing this, the government has full confidence in their ability to accomplish the task.”
It called for caution, urging Nigerians not to fall for the plan of terrorists to divide Nigeria on religious lines.
“Not seeing them as they should be is exactly what the terrorists and groups wish; they want Nigerians to see their beliefs as reason to turn against one another.
“On the contrary, Christians and Muslims alike are united in their opposition to Boko Haram and the hatred for decency that the infamous group stands for,” the statement read.