NIGERIA: Christians in Nigeria vow to defend themselves following a series of deadly attacks on Christian churches in the remote parts of the country

Record ID: 235438

  • Title: NIGERIA: Christians in Nigeria vow to defend themselves following a series of deadly attacks on Christian churches in the remote parts of the country
  • Date: 8th January 2012
  • Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (JANUARY 7, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHURCH EXTERIORS AYO ORITSEJAFOR, PRESIDENT OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE INSIDE CHURCH (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, AYO ORITSEJAFOR, SAYING "We have the legitimate right to defend ourselves. We're also saying today that we will do whatever it takes. We are working things out between ourselves. We are not obligated to tell you what we are working out, but let us wait and see. I think with time we'll know what exactly is being worked out. But we can assure you we are working things out between ourselves." VARIOUS OF ORITSEJAFOR AND NEWS CONFERENCE ATTENDANTS VARIOUS OF CHURCH EXTERIORS
  • Embargoed: 23rd January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime,Conflict,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA47DF466MPU9X14WA14BD1RGGT
  • Story Text: A Nigerian pastor called on fellow Christians to defend themselves from violence, following a series of deadly attacks on Christian churches in the remote parts of the country.
    Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, made his call for self-defence at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday (January 7).
    "We have the legitimate right to defend ourselves. We're also saying today that we will do whatever it takes. We are working things out between ourselves. We are not obligated to tell you what we are working out, but let us wait and see. I think with time we'll know what exactly is being worked out. But we can assure you we are working things out between ourselves," said Oritsejafor.
    His message came as hundreds of Christians began to flee northern Nigeria after dozens were killed in a series of attacks by Islamist militants who issued an ultimatum to Christians to leave the mainly Muslim region or be killed.
    A Nigerian newspaper Tuesday (January 3) published a warning from Boko Haram, a movement styled on the Taliban, that Christians had three days to get out of northern Nigeria.
    Since the expiry of that ultimatum attacks in towns in four states in northeastern Nigeria have left at least 37 people dead and hundreds of Christians are fleeing to the south, according to residents and a Red Cross official.
    Gunmen armed with Kalashnikovs have targeted church congregations and a group of mourners in a church hall.
    Witnesses said some shops run by Christians from the Igbo ethnic group in towns hit by the violence, including Yola and Mubi, were closed Saturday and residents started to pack their belongings onto buses heading to southern regions.
    President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the northeast and two other regions in Nigeria on December 31, in a bid to contain a growing insurgency by Boko Haram, which says it wants to apply Islamic sharia law across the country.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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