President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, on Monday faulted Federal Government’s effort at fighting insecurity, especially banditry, in the country.

The CAN president said government efforts were not only below expectations but were largely discriminatory.

He noted that God is the only refuge for His people and not the government, given the current security situation in the land.

Ayokunle spoke during the national conference/retreat of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) in Abuja.

He said: “Blood-letting is the order of the day by criminals masquerading as Islamic religious terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, who carry fellow human beings for money from the family members of kidnapped people.

“Ritual killers are equally on rampage with little done by those in authority to apprehend these criminals. If they do at all, it is not only below expectations but discriminatory. Only God is the refuge of His people in Nigeria today, not the government.

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“Many school children are currently in the hands of kidnappers for years and months without a clue from government security agents on how to rescue them.”

Ayokunle who also spoke on the economy, inter-religious activities and CAMA, said Federal Government’s level of borrowing had risen beyond tolerable point.

“Borrowing has doubled and the number of unemployed young people has increased, which has also heightened insecurity and eased their recruitment into criminalities.

“However, we have been constantly meeting with our Muslim counterparts for inter-religious dialogue to douse the tension in the land, especially the one created by religiously-skewed political actions,” he said.

Faulting some provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2020, the CAN president said: “The voluminous law, which was supposed to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria, has many provisions that contradict the constitution of the country, therefore constitutes a rape on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.

“The church in particular has her life endangered by the law. While CAN’s effort is ongoing in seeking amendment to the law at the National Assembly, we have equally challenged the law in the court.”

Also, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, yesterday expressed displeasure over rising insecurity across the country.

The eminent monarch said the menace had spread to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He said all hands should be on deck to address the matter.

Oba Adetunji regretted that Nigerians are currently in the midst of danger posed by criminals in various guises.

The monarch urged the people to unite and find lasting solution to the matter.

Addressing reporters in his palace while hosting the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, the Balogun of Ibadan land, Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, who spoke on behalf of the monarch, said the Nigerian Army is constitutionally empowered to maintain peace and stability across the country.

“We are worried by the level of insecurity facing the country. Together, we can make Nigeria better,” he said.