By Raphael Okhiria

Former national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, has called on the federal government to urgently take decisive actions against the criminals, particularly the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and killer Herdsmen, disturbing the peace of this country and Nigerians.

Dr. Omobude who is the General Superintendent of the Gospel Light International Ministries – New Covenant Gospel Church, stated this during a press interview with newsmen in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

The revered man of God who frowned at spate of wanton killings of innocent Nigerians and destruction of property, saying that the main responsibility of government is the protection of their lives and property of its citizens.

Reverend Omobude, disclosed that despite the unprovoked targeting of the Christians and churches in Nigeria, the seemingly silence of key Christian leaders is primarily aimed at allowing the major Christian organisations like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), to speak on behalf of the church, so as to maintain Christian unity on the security situation in Nigeria.

According to him, “people have said that some of the key leaders of the church have not spoken out enough on this matter. The reason or reasons are obvious.

“Number one is that the church has organised herself such that the main organs of the church, like CAN and PFN, should be the mouthpiece of the church in order that we don’t have divergent views. So, we channel our opinions and our suggestions through these organs.

“But as it appears now, it doesn’t seem that these organs probably have been able to amplify our thoughts enough for the public. Most of us leaders have been trying to be good followers, to play by the rule.

“Secondly, we love Nigeria. I understand personally the effect of any negative alarm from any of the top leaders that could have far-reaching effect or capable of tearing the nation into pieces. So it would be irresponsible for a leader at a certain level, for example, to call for arms, or to call for violence.

“Violence will give birth to violence. And so we don’t have another nation. So our restraint is because we believe that a united Nigeria would be the best for us.

” However, I hope that those in leadership don’t take our restraint for weakness. Well, there is no law, as far as I know, in our books that says you should not protect yourself. In the midst of the violence and the unending threats, it would be reckless and it would be naive to say that you should not protect yourself.

“We have had a similar situation from Nehemiah in the bible when they faced such a threat. Yes, the wisdom at that time was that some people worked and some people protected. So every church or organisation must at this stage be security conscious.

“It is obvious that our security agents are overstretched and we cannot ask communities or churches or organisations not to put any legal means of protecting themselves,” Rev. Dr. Omobude added.