Elder Olaiya Phillips is the chairman of Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF). He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the numerous challenges facing Christians in the north and the raging terror war. Excerpts:
NOSCEF has always alleged northern Christians are marginalised. What are some of these marginalisations? Also, are there documents or evidence to prove these?
All NOSCEF did was to highlight the overwhelming body of evidence provided by various independent bodies and organisations.
I would refer you to the observations made by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in their 2014 Annual Report. The report recognisesd that “Christian leaders in the northern states protest northern state governments’ discrimination against Christians in the denial of applications to build or repair places of worship, access to education and state-run media, representation in government bodies, and government employment.”
The USCIRF’s findings also correspond with the conclusions of the report produced in 2012 by the Presidential Committee on the Security Challenges in the Northeast. The committee alleged neglect and a lack of concern by some state governments in the North towards Christian minorities, including a disregard for their legitimate rights and demands.
They acknowledged some Northern state governments had deliberately denied the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to churches and prevented the teaching of Christian Religious Studies in schools alongside Islamic Religious Studies. Their report also found evidence to suggest politicians had set up private militias in the run-up to the 2003 general elections to intimidate political opponents and voters.
It alleged that, following the elections, and having achieved their primary purpose, the politicians cut their ties to these militias who then gravitated towards religious extremism and groups such as Boko Haram.
In addition, in a December 2013 report, “‘Leave Everything to God’: Accountability for Inter-Communal Violence in Plateau and Kaduna States” Human Rights Watch analysed the pattern of violence that has engulfed the two aforementioned states since 2010. The report documented how a lack of accountability for communal violence and mass murder had led to preventable cycles of violence and reprisal killings in those states.
Are you pleased with the anti-terror war?
I am not sure how anyone could be ‘pleased’ with the Federal and State Government’s continuing war against Boko Haram’s brand of terrorism. I am certainly not ‘pleased’ that an anti-terror war is necessary.
Am I pleased that children continue to be kidnapped and murdered? No. Am I pleased that whole communities, particularly communities with significant Christian populations in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe have been forced to leave behind their homes, business and belongings? No. Am I pleased there has not been a day that has gone by this year, that the report of yet another horrific attack has occurred against innocent civilians across Northern Nigeria? No.
The only benefit I can see is that the Nigerian public is now more aware than ever of the atrocious crimes committed by Boko Haram against innocent Nigerians of all religions and the persistent discrimination that Northern Christians face on a daily basis. We cannot ignore their evil brand of Islamic extremism any longer. Nigeria must face up to this task, defeat Boko Haram and end the discrimination of minorities.
Boko Haram seems to be making serious strides lately, even declaring a caliphate in some parts of the north. Why do you think the sect appears unbeatable?
Boko Haram is not unbeatable and I haven’t heard anyone other than their supporters and sympathisers suggest otherwise.
The rise of Boko Haram must be placed in a wider historical context of the organisation. When President Goodluck Jonathan introduced the State of Emergency following a wave of Boko Haram attacks at the end of 2011, the military succeeded in suppressing the group’s activity.
You will remember that at the time the group was able to commit terrorist atrocities in major cities across the north of the country, including Abuja, Bauchi, Damaturu, Kano, Gombe, Jos and Yola. Following the military surge, the group’0s activities were limited to the three most North-Eastern States in which they operate to this day.
But then Boko Haram changed strategy. Instead of large scale attack on urban centres, they began attacking remote communities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. They focused on communities that were home to populations of Christians and moderate Muslims in their attempt to convert or kill those who did not agree with their extremist beliefs.
Despite the military’s early successes they were unprepared to cope with Boko Haram’s hit- and- run tactics and have since struggled to mount a successful counter insurgency campaign.
This is part of a wider phenomenon of global Islamic terrorists employing vicious and horrendous methods to slaughter innocent people who refuse to yield to their doctrine. Boko Haram, Al Shabab, the Islamic State and the Taliban – this is a global problem that threatens the security of many, if not all nations.
How soon will NOSCEF be in a position to recommend certified candidates for elections?
NOSCEF was formed to provide a strong voice and powerful vehicle for the Northern Christian community and their support for the values of justice, equality and fairness. It has become increasingly apparent to both NOSCEF and our members that there are very few politicians who are willing to speak up for the Northern Christian community or the values we believe in.
For years, NOSCEF has been increasingly vocal in drawing the nation’s – and in particular both State and National level politicians’ – attention to the increasing discrimination and victimisation of the Northern Christian community.
Yet hardly a word has been uttered on the subject on the floors of both Houses of the National Assembly. The mere mention of the blatant political persecution of the Christian community in States such as Adamawa, Borno or Yobe is met with disregard and contempt from the Governors’ spokespeople.
We have come to the realisation, that although we can give our community a voice, we cannot make our politicians listen. We will therefore be actively supporting candidates of various political parties in 2015 who will finally stand up for the Northern Christian community.
Should religion determine who rules Nigeria come 2015?
I am sure many NOSCEF members will have a preference on who they want to vote for next year, we encourage all our members to join us in supporting political parties and candidates that will speak up for our community and demonstrate a commitment to our organisation’s values of justice, equality and fairness. The presidential candidate who is best able to do this will be receiving NOCSEF’s support.
Do you fear that Christianity might be wiped out in the north in no distant time going by the insurgency?
Abubakar Shekau, the leader and spokesperson of Boko Haram, has consistently stated that the group’s primary target is the Christian community. In addition, the group has been actively encouraging other Muslims to join their campaign of violence against Christians in their local communities.
Boko Haram’s crimes – and the surge of refugees they have created – have spread a wave of instability across Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole. Tensions have risen within communities – from East to West, from the North, slowly creeping South – as extremists answer their call to join their campaign of jihad.
Approximately six months ago, NOSCEF members in Taraba State – more than 500kms from the violence in the North-East – began to raise concerns following the arrival of a sudden and unprecedented influx of people from outside the region who gave the appearance of cattle herders.
Unlike the cattle herders they are accustomed to, this new group travelled without family, arrived outside of the normal seasonal movements and were armed with sophisticated weaponry. Shortly after their arrival, attacks against Christians increased.
Since January this year there have been numerous reports of violence in Taraba State against the Christian population at the hands of heavily armed Islamic extremists. Hundreds of members of that Christian community have been murdered and thousands more forced from their homes. The Islamist extremists destroyed their villages, their farms and their churches.
While the nation’s current focus is quite rightly on vile criminals such as Boko Haram and the disgusting atrocities they commit, we must not underestimate how much danger a sectarian conflict across Northern Nigeria poses.
Religious minorities can no longer suffer while their rights are violated. NOSCEF cannot remain silent while Northern Christians endure persecution. We must bring an end to the persecutions of Northern Christians before our community is consigned to the pages of history.
