There is ‘Christian Genocide’, CAN insists, as Professor Amupitan’s legal brief on genocidal killings in 2020 revealed
Following the United States President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a ‘concern of country, revelations have been coming out from various quarters.
Another is from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who have repeated that Christian genocide is truly ongoing in the country, imploring the federal government and the international community to wade in and end the repeated gruesome killings and displacement of Christians, especially in the Northern and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria.
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
According to the President to the Christian body (CAN) , Archbishop Okoh, who said on Tuesday amid the opening ceremony of the body’s Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council meeting in Jos, capital of Plateau State.
Okoh noted that Jos is a city with memory of deep anguish and resilient hope, “a land that has wept bitterly, prayed fervently, and yet continues to rise with a steadfast faith that defies the darkness around it.”
The Archbishop expressed gratitude to the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, “for hosting the meeting, encouraging him to continue in his path of service so that by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Plateau will rise again.
“Our presence in Jos is not accidental. It is intentional, purposeful, and deeply symbolic. We are here as ambassadors of solidarity, compassion, and moral support.
“It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired: lives brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered.
“CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand unwaveringly by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria,” Okoh stated.
He also cited his recent visit to displaced persons in Bokkos, noting that, “The scars we saw were deep; yet, the faith we encountered was stronger still. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you.”
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
The CAN backed the Christian association’s position as a vocal advocate, stating that their divine assignment requires that they speak, stressing that not vocal in the face of injustice is not just irresponsible but also unscriptural.
He revealed that challenges facing the nation has now attracted swift attention from the international community.
While expressing pain over the negative spotlight, Okoh proclaimed that “if international attention is what is required to spur decisive governmental action to protect lives and bring lasting peace, then we, the Christian community in Nigeria, welcome it.”
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
He assured the Christians that CAN will not sit back, but persist in demanding justice.
“We will continue to call for accountability. We will continue to defend the vulnerable. We will continue to advocate for peace and unity in Nigeria.”
The President of CAN admitted that the sacrifices of the security agencies, but noted that in spite of their efforts, the killings, kidnapping and mass displacement of people remain deteriorated.
“We renew our appeal to the federal government of Nigeria, and to the international community, to act decisively and urgently to halt the senseless destruction of lives and displacement of indigenous people, particularly in Christian-dominated communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt,” he said.
He said that no person should be murdered and unfairly treated for their faith and urged governments to wade in to restore the internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
Okoh described the IDPs’ plight as “a painful indictment on our national conscience,” warning that “if not addressed, this humanitarian crisis may escalate into something far more devastating. GOD forbid.”
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
Archbishop Okoh further implored all Christians to come together, stating that these difficult times “demand sincerity, courage, unity, and wisdom.”
“This is a season in which we must speak with one voice, stand shoulder to shoulder, and unite our strategies to confront an existential threat to our communities. Our strength lies in our unity.
“Yet, even in the midst of grief, we remain a people of hope. Our God has not abandoned us. This darkness shall not overcome the light of Christ. I urge all leaders to remain steadfast, prayerful, and courageous.
“Continue to strengthen the flock entrusted to your care. Continue to sow seeds of hope, even in the soil of sorrow. In God’s time, the dawn shall break, and His light will shine upon our land once again,” he said.
New INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan’s Legal Genocidal Brief (2020)
President Bola Tinubu’s newly appointed INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, drafted Legal Reports on ‘Genocidal Killings’ in 2020 reveals how silently Nigerian have been killed in recent years.
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
“Legal Brief: Genocide (Silent Slaughter) in Nigeria–The Implications for the International Community.”
“it is a notorious fact that there is perpetration of crimes under international law in Nigeria, particularly crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.”
“While the country is trying to manage the concerns engendered by the clamour for self-determination, two violent extremist groups have emerged to exacerbate an already deteriorating situation. Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen, responsible for an orgy of bloodbath and massive displacements in many States across Nigeria.”
Slamming the Nigerian government for constitutional failure, noting the jettisoning of the nation to prosecute alleged criminals had prompted foreign intervention “a moral and legal necessity.”
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
“The victims of the crises are mainly the Christian population and the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria. Hence the need for remedial actions under the international law.”
Going back to the historical roots of Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflict, Professor Amupitan posited that “drive for Islamisation of Nigeria through the jihad of 1804” had now reappeared through modern extremist movements.
He called the Fulani-led jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio a “full-blown Islamization agenda”, claiming that the same philosophical adherence still engines many of the current conflicts in northern Nigerian.
“Following the 19th century jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio, the Hausa territories were conquered and the Sokoto Caliphate established.
The success of the jihad was one of the religious triumphalism that aimed at expanding the caliphate to other parts of Nigeria in the irrevocable bid to dip the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.”
The “caliphate thereafter became a dominant force in the north,” and that following governments had proceeded to preserve its influence by political manipulation and systemic favouritism.
The legal brief also accused the Nigerian authorities of knowingly ignoring the term “genocide” to evade international accountability.
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
“States are skeptical of naming ‘genocide’ the way it is to avoid committing resources to stop it and to punish perpetrators.
Such States easily find cover under the principle of complementarity.
Concealing genocide becomes a strategy to guard sovereignty and protect ego, at the expense of innocent lives.”
The alleged involvement of the State and non-State actors in the commission of crimes under international law in Nigeria has complicated an already complex situation.
Consequently, the situation beckons the urgent need for a neutral and impartial third-party intervention, especially the UN and its key organs, the military and economic superpowers.
He concluded that international law can override state sovereignty should any genocide and crimes against humanity.
He then urged the United Nations and the world powers to wade in to Nigeria’s crises.
There Is ‘Christian Genocide’ ─ CAN Insists
