One of the leading Muslim organisations in Nigeria, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned an attempt to bomb Living Faith Church by a Christian man, Nathaniel Samuel, saying the incident is a justification that there is a Christian version of Boko Haram.
While reacting to the arrest of the would-be bomber on Monday, the Director of the Organisation, Prof. Lakin Akintola said Nathaniel’s arrest by the police in the toilet of the church during church service is the outcome of Nigerian Muslims’ prayers for Allah to expose all the perpetrators behind the bombing of churches.
Prof Akintola also described the attempted suicide attack a mockery of the rally organised on Sunday by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), adding that the rally was called ostensibly to protest against alleged rising insecurity in the country.
“But God works in wonderful ways. He exposed another plot by a fellow Christian to bomb a church on the same day that CAN called for the rally. The coincidence is equally divine and it gives the impression that the rally itself was nothing but a hocus pocus.
“We are not surprised that the suspect happens to be a Christian. We have said it on several occasions that there is a Christian version of Boko Haram. Christians bomb churches and the whole world blame Nigerian Muslims for the atrocity.
Read full press release below
3rd February, 2020
PRESS RELEASE:
ARREST OF CHRISTIAN BOMBER IS MOCKERY OF CAN RALLY
The Kaduna State Police Command yesterday announced the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber inside a church located at Sabon Tasha in Chukun Local Government Area of the state. According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yakubu Sabo, the suspect, a middle aged man by name Nathaniel Samuel, a Christian from Bauchi State, was apprehended inside the church with a bag containing items suspected to be Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The suspect was arrested yesterday, Sunday, 2nd February, 2020. About 200 worshippers usually attend the church every Sunday.
The attempt to bomb the Sabon Tasha church has been condemned by a human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). In a press statement issued by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 3rd February, 2020, the group commended the Kaduna State police command for its diligence and described the arrest as divinely ordained.
“This arrest is the outcome of our prayers for Allah to expose all those who are behind the bombing of churches. We are not surprised that the suspect happens to be a Christian. We have said it on several occasions that there is a Christian version of Boko Haram. Christians bomb churches and the whole world blame Nigerian Muslims for the atrocity.
“The arrest of Nathaniel Samuel for attempting to bomb this church is not a new development. Victor Moses was arrested on 1st March, 2016 for spying for Boko Haram bombers. He confessed that he carried out surveillance before the bombing of Madalla church in Abuja on 25th December, 2011. It must be noted that for every single arrest there must have been several successful crimes committed. There is no doubt that there are many other Christians warming up somewhere to bomb churches and lay the blame on Muslims.
“We give kudos to the Kaduna Police Command for this feat. People blame the security agencies for no just cause sometimes. This arrest must have been the outcome of careful planning and prolonged surveillance. Those who handled the operation deserve promotion.
“But the arrest of a Christian attempting to bomb a church makes mockery of the rally organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday. The rally was called ostensibly to protest against alleged rising insecurity in the country. But God works in wonderful ways. He exposed another plot by a fellow Christian to bomb a church on the same day that CAN called for the rally. The coincidence is equally divine and it gives the impression that the rally itself was nothing but a hocus pocus.
“CAN would have exploded immediately in its usual self-righteousness if Nathaniel Samuel had succeeded in bombing the church yesterday. A world press conference would have been held this morning to blame the killing on Muslims. Also, there would have been screaming headlines in newspapers across the country : Boko Haram Bombs Church Again: Hundreds Killed! White House would have called Aso Rock: Why are you killing Christians? This scenario is becoming too ridiculous. It is turning our country into a bundle of contradictions. We say enough is enough. This hypocrisy in articulated religiousity must stop.
“CAN nurses a false dogma of permanent insecurity, incompetence and persecution. But in reality, Nigeria today is much better than Nigeria in 2015 when the Buhari administration took over. Boko Haram that was controlling 17 local governments at that time has been reduced to a pack of hoodlums hitting and running. Nigerian soldiers who were running and hiding from the insurgents before are now putting the latter on the run. The fact that Boko Haram tactics have diminished to guerrilla warfare cements our hypothesis of a debilitated insurgency. Ditto for kidnappings and armed robbery. There is a gross reduction in the spate of crime but groups like CAN feed fat on misinformation.
“In a nutshell, MURIC calls on patriotic Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, political stability and economic prosperity. But above all, we call on the security agencies to step up their safety measures. Life is sacred and this country can only make progress in an atmosphere of security. Therefore, the security agencies must be alert to their responsibilities. We charge Nigerians to be extra-vigilant. Our enemies are in our midst.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
