By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church, on Thursday vowed to resort to self-defence if both, Federal and Taraba State Government fail to ensure immediate release of their members from kidnappers, and end banditry activities in the state.
The southern conference also alleged that the banditry activities, particularly in Yorro Local Government Area was being targeted at erasing the Christians in the area.
They insisted that both traditional rulers and political office holders, past and present in the area should come out clear with a proof that their hands are clean, to counter the video in circulation where the key leader of the kidnapper is alleging that they have the backing of some leaders and the people in the area.
In a press conference in Lanka Viri, Yorro local government, the president Rev Micah Dopa, lamented the continued hostage of their pastors and members of Yorro community by kidnappers for almost one month after ransom was paid.
According to Dopa, the church paid N11,000,000 ransom for her pastors to be released but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody.
“We want both the Federal and Taraba State Government to act fast to end this ugly incident and ensure the release of our Pastors and 14 others or, we will resort to self-defence which is both Biblical and constitutional.
“After receiving reports from the district superintendents and members on the state of security in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba, we wish to inform the whole world that the area is under siege by Kidnappers. Twenty people were kidnapped in pupule town, including two pastors. Rev. Elkanah MK Ayuba and Rev. Simon Ezra and some members of the church on 19th December, 2023, and up till now they are under the custody of Kidnappers. On the 23rd December, 2023, the Kidnappers also launched another invasion into Dila Village where Hon Dimas Ishaya Dila of UMC Dila Charge and others were taken away.
“On 26th December, 2023, another member of UMC, Mr Fidelis Daniel Junior, a student of Taraba State University was taken at his residence while many villagers of Gongong were taking away at Gongong Maliki market around 3pm, including the pastor of UMC Kasakuri and other church members
“We wish to in strong terms condemn the ungodly, barbaric, heartless, evil and senseless act of banditry in the Yorro Community. This ugly development has led confusion among the body of Christ and the Community at large. The siege on the Yorro Community has crippled economy development of the area, worsening the hardship of the rural dwellers as huge ransom was demanded by the kidnappers.
“As a body of Christ, we mobilised and paid N11,000,000 for our members to be released but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody. Going by the video clip circulating in the media, and the action of the kidnappers, it is clear to say that the kidnappers activities is a plot to erase Christians in the area,” the conference expressed.
The conference while commending President Bola Tinubu, Governor Agbu Kefas, as well as security operatives in their efforts to tackling security challenges, the UMC southern conference however, implored the Yorro Community to be security conscious by reporting all strange movement of suspicious elements to relevant God-fearing security agencies for prompt action, noted that government alone can not provide the needed security in the society, hence the need for collaboration to Make Yorro safe again.
Meanwhile, Taraba State police command said, it has already mapped out strategies to flush out bandits, not only in Yorro local government but the state at large.
CP Joseph Eribo told journalists while reacting to the press conference by the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The state police CP appealed for calm and provision of useful information to the police to ease the plan action against kidnappers, since the idea for self defense would call for anarchy.
