By Sam Eyoboka

LAGOS — UMBRELLA body of Christians in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has again condemned in the strongest terms the continued killing of innocent Nigerians for no justifiable reason in different parts of the country, stating that the blood of these innocent citizens will surely cry out for justice.

National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has therefore, called on the federal and state governments, all relevant security agencies and political office holders to join hands and end this evil that is seriously threatening our corporate unity.

He said: “These heinous and barbaric criminal acts against the Nigerian state must not be allowed to break our collective resolve to remain as one indivisible entity and pursue the path of peace and progress”

Expressing displeasure at the growing rate of insecurity in parts of the country, Oritsejafor, in a condolence letter to the governments and good people of Kano, Bayelsa and Bauchi states over the recent bomb explosions in parts of the states which killed innocent citizens, injured several persons and destroyed valuable property, commiserated with families of those who lost their loved ones and those who sustained various degree of injuries due to these bomb attacks.

“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the continued killing of innocent Nigerians for no justifiable reason whatsoever,” he stated in the letter made available to Vanguard last night, adding: “The blood of these innocent citizens will surely cry out for justice.”

Lamenting the growing rate of terrorism in the nation, Oritsejafor asked: “How long shall we continue to watch these heartless and unpatriotic elements wage war against Nigeria? The perpetrators of these crimes and their sponsors must be brought to book now.”

According to him the latest organised bomb blasts in different locations in ancient city of Kano is particularly painful, “coming few days after some Muslim brothers in a rare show of solidarity visited our churches within Kano municipality to foster peace, love and unity.”

Oritsejafor also used the occasion to urge the residents of Kano, Bayelsa and Bauchi states irrespective of tribe or religion and indeed all peace-loving Nigerians in any part of the country to remain calm, be law abiding but most especially be security conscious.

Few hours after the well co-ordinated bomb attack on Kano City that left over 170 dead, two explosions rocked parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, late Friday night while reports have it last night that a police station in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi State was targeted while another military checkpoint was attacked by Boko Haram gunmen at Marar Rabar Liman Katagun.

The Bauchi State police commissioner also confirmed that a bomb exploded near a railway line in Bauchi Township, though residents said they heard three explosions near IBB Square and the Jahun area.

The CP told journalists that his men repelled the attackers in Tafawa Balewa area but could not confirm casualty figure which was put at eight as at the time of this report. Reports from Bauchi said last that tension was growing in the capital as another Islamic sect known as “JIBWIS” which is opposed to the dreaded Boko Haram sect, was said to holding its annual conference. The sect is founded by late Sheik Jafar Mahmud Adams.