The Christians Association of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State has condemned attacks on some churches in Uyo, the state capital.
Hoodlums on Thursday set ablaze the altar of The Apostolic Church, along Information Drive; Mount Zion Gospel Church, along Aka Itiam; The Apostolic Church along Bassey Esau Street, and Salvation Army Church, destroying pastoral seats, musical instrument, pulpits, among others.
The CAN state chairman, Rev. Nduoso Ekwere, said on Sunday that he would not directly pass the blame on the outsiders as such attacks usually involve insiders..
Ekwere, who described the attacks as abominable, called on the security agencies in the state to identify those behind the burning of the church items.
He added that those who perpetrated the act would not go unpunished.
“I personally had to drive round the Uyo metropolis to look for the churches in which items had been burnt. I have personally seen those things, and they range from musical instrument, pastoral seats in the church to pulpits. They were completely burnt down.
“There is no evil that will go unpunished. I do not want to suspect much of the outsiders. I want to believe that nothing happens without an insider and, if there is anybody in this state or in this metropolis that is linking him or herself to such devilish destruction, such individual should know that the destruction of church property is a serious abomination.”
He said he and other church leaders were praying for the perpetrators to repent and advised churches to be vigilant and make appropriate security arrangements.
Also, Ekwere said CAN would investigate the whereabouts of N100m that the former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, gave to the association to build a secretariat.
He said, “The Akwa Ibom State government under Godswill Akpabio, gave CAN N100m to build a secretariat. I will say as I am seated here, nothing known as a structure has been raised, but we know that the money had been given.
“We received some papers during the handing over; we want to a settle down and go through the papers to know how the money was used and for what purpose?”
