The Presidency has warned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to desist from dividing Nigerians through disinformation.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, responded to CAN’s media briefing, in which the body alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been paying ransom to terrorists selectively.

The Spokesman of CAN, Kwamkur Samuel, had been quoted as alleging that the Presidency had in separate occasions paid ransom to Boko Haram to get Moslem hostages released, but had drawn back in cases involving Christian victims who found themselves in a similar circumstance, citing the cases of Chibok and Dapchi girls.

But in its response, the Presidency described CAN’s latest allegation is a divisive ploy, aimed at making the efforts of the President to find peace for all Nigerians look bad.

“We are again constrained to react to unfounded allegations by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about the payment or non-payment of ransom for the release of the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

“Media reports quoted CAN’s Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel to have said inter alia: ‘Nigerians need to know, if they have not known the reason why the Presidency could not pay ransom to rescue Chibok girls. It is because 80% to 90% of the girls are Christians. The reason why Dapchi girls’ ransom was quickly paid and they were returned is the discovery that most of the girls were Muslims except Leah Sharibu who is still in captivity.’

“When the media in August 2018 quoted a United Nations Report alleging that the Federal Government paid a ‘huge ransom’ for the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on March 21, 2018, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, immediately disputed the report, insisting that no ransom was paid, ‘little or huge.’ According to the Minister, ‘There must be a conclusive evidence to support such a claim. Without that, the claim remains what it is – a mere conjecture.’

“And we ask, ‘Who should Nigerians or CAN rather believe, if there is good faith?

“We urge CAN to desist from disinformation which can further divide Nigerians. The letter and spirit of the Holy Bible do not support discord, which CAN’s allegations are liable to cause.

“The Christian body need not be antagonistic to every attempt by the administration to move Nigeria forward, before it can champion or defend the Christian faith.

“President Muhammadu Buhari made it very clear in 2015 that if ransom needed to be paid to free the Chibok schoolgirls, he would pay. That is a testament to his commitment to get the girls back.

“Notwithstanding our different faiths, we are all stakeholders in the promotion of peace in our fatherland. And the Holy Bible enjoins us to, “Seek peace, and pursue it”, the statement said.

The Presidency has warned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to desist from dividing Nigerians through disinformation.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, responded to CAN’s media briefing, in which the body alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been paying ransom to terrorists selectively.

The Spokesman of CAN, Kwamkur Samuel, had been quoted as alleging that the Presidency had in separate occasions paid ransom to Boko Haram to get Moslem hostages released, but had drawn back in cases involving Christian victims who found themselves in a similar circumstance, citing the cases of Chibok and Dapchi girls.

But in its response, the Presidency described CAN’s latest allegation is a divisive ploy, aimed at making the efforts of the President to find peace for all Nigerians look bad.

“We are again constrained to react to unfounded allegations by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about the payment or non-payment of ransom for the release of the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

“Media reports quoted CAN’s Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel to have said inter alia: ‘Nigerians need to know, if they have not known the reason why the Presidency could not pay ransom to rescue Chibok girls. It is because 80% to 90% of the girls are Christians. The reason why Dapchi girls’ ransom was quickly paid and they were returned is the discovery that most of the girls were Muslims except Leah Sharibu who is still in captivity.’

“When the media in August 2018 quoted a United Nations Report alleging that the Federal Government paid a ‘huge ransom’ for the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on March 21, 2018, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, immediately disputed the report, insisting that no ransom was paid, ‘little or huge.’ According to the Minister, ‘There must be a conclusive evidence to support such a claim. Without that, the claim remains what it is – a mere conjecture.’

“And we ask, ‘Who should Nigerians or CAN rather believe, if there is good faith?

“We urge CAN to desist from disinformation which can further divide Nigerians. The letter and spirit of the Holy Bible do not support discord, which CAN’s allegations are liable to cause.

“The Christian body need not be antagonistic to every attempt by the administration to move Nigeria forward, before it can champion or defend the Christian faith.

“President Muhammadu Buhari made it very clear in 2015 that if ransom needed to be paid to free the Chibok schoolgirls, he would pay. That is a testament to his commitment to get the girls back.

“Notwithstanding our different faiths, we are all stakeholders in the promotion of peace in our fatherland. And the Holy Bible enjoins us to, “Seek peace, and pursue it”, the statement said.

The Foremost Security Consultant in the country and Interpol Systems Expert, Sir Chikwe Udensi has expressed condolence to the families of the victims in Isu community Arochukwu LGA on the recent attack by their Cross River neighboring community, Biase LGA.

He described the attack as pathetic, disheartening, unfortunate and highly condemnable.

He frowned at the ugly incident while charging the state government to fashion out strategies that will enhance the security architecture of the state.

He prayed to God to give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“I sincerely sympathize with the families of those who lost their lives in the recent attack on Isu community, It is pitiable and heartbreaking, may Almighty God give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. To lose someone dear through such a brutal incident can be very horrible, I urge them to be strong in their time of grief.

The Interpol Expert also advised the government of Okezie Ikpeazu to live up to its expectations and primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties as Security remains the prerequisite for economic and infrastructural growth and development.

He urged the state government to set up security models ranging from Intelligence gathering, Security information management and deployment of efficient security personnel, which will enhance security within the area and across the state to ensure that such an ugly incident does not have a second chance.

While speaking to ISU community leader Mazi Donatus Okorie, he advises that the facts of the boundary dispute should be immediately revisited by all concerned community leaders and stakeholders for dialogue and possible resolution to avoid further chaos.

The Foremost Security Consultant in the country and Interpol Systems Expert, Sir Chikwe Udensi has expressed condolence to the families of the victims in Isu community Arochukwu LGA on the recent attack by their Cross River neighboring community, Biase LGA.

He described the attack as pathetic, disheartening, unfortunate and highly condemnable.

He frowned at the ugly incident while charging the state government to fashion out strategies that will enhance the security architecture of the state.

He prayed to God to give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“I sincerely sympathize with the families of those who lost their lives in the recent attack on Isu community, It is pitiable and heartbreaking, may Almighty God give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. To lose someone dear through such a brutal incident can be very horrible, I urge them to be strong in their time of grief.

The Interpol Expert also advised the government of Okezie Ikpeazu to live up to its expectations and primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties as Security remains the prerequisite for economic and infrastructural growth and development.

He urged the state government to set up security models ranging from Intelligence gathering, Security information management and deployment of efficient security personnel, which will enhance security within the area and across the state to ensure that such an ugly incident does not have a second chance.

While speaking to ISU community leader Mazi Donatus Okorie, he advises that the facts of the boundary dispute should be immediately revisited by all concerned community leaders and stakeholders for dialogue and possible resolution to avoid further chaos.