Jos blasts: CAN chief laments over 16 more victims

By Taye Obateru
Another set of 16 victims of the Christmas Eve bomb blasts in Plateau State were given a mass burial with the state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Philip Dafes expressing  fears about the survival of the nation if nothing is done to check frequent attacks on Christians in parts of the country.

Speaking Friday at a funeral service organized in honor of the victims of the blast, he said 42 victims had earlier been given a mass burial by the state government.

He said the attacks on Christians have continued because government has refused to take decisive action against perpetrators adding that promises to get to the root of such attacks often died down  at last.

Said Dafes: “It is quite disheartening to note that since the unprovoked attacked on Christians started in Nigeria, no genuine result has come out of the investigation of the issues. In fact, when Christians are attacked in some states it’s no longer news to the media.

“I fear for Nigeria as a nation. If our leaders will not be decisive on issues affecting our unity and with the seeming polarization of our security agencies, I see the nation heading to a state of anarchy.

“The security agencies must check themselves, particularly the Army to know whether they have fake soldiers or soldiers doing fake assignments in the name of government. There is hardly any attack in the state now without mention of “fake soldiers” being involved.”

Commander of the Special Task Force maintaining security in the state, Brig. Gen. Hassan Umoru regretted the blasts which he said was an affront not just to the people of the state, but to the army and the entire country.