Reverend Chukwuma Chukwuemezie Peters is the General Overseer of Fire Pentecostal Ministries at Akowonjo, Lagos. He spoke to OLAYINKA LATONA on security situation in the country especially the dreaded Boko Haram sect. Excerpts:

Going by what is happening in the country today, what do you foresee as a man of God?

The year will be good after some times. Nigeria is not owned by one person but by all of us. The good people are certainly more than the evil ones; and good will always overcome evil as light overcomes darkness. So, I know that Nigeria will be better for all Nigerians and the evil will be defeated by good.

What is the panacea for the killings by members of Boko Haram?

Mr. President said that Boko Haram people are in his government and I think he should expose them and prosecute them. He should arrest and prosecute corrupt judges who take bribe and free arrested terrorists. I don’t believe that terrorists should be begged instead government should fight terrorism by sending them to life imprisonment  with hard labour.

The President is either afraid or have no idea of what to do. If he said that Boko Haram has infiltrated his government yet nobody has been sacked or dropped, except the former IGP who was due for retirement few weeks to his being sacked, then the president should be held responsible for all Boko Haram’s activities.

I think the National Assembly should call on him to explain the reason for his slow approach towards the evil sect called Boko Haram.

What advice do you have for Christians in the North? Should they take up arms against their attackers?

Well, nobody would watch his/herself being killed. The government should provide security to Nigerians who want to worship God. And the Church should be very vigilant, pray-erful and ready for self defence. Christians should not go to war but must defend themselves.

What role do you think men of God should play at this critical stage of the nation’s development?

Men of God should continue to pray for the nation,and pray for our leaders and as well preach and pray against evil and evil people. On my part, I will soon lunch a national prayer programme where we can fight back spiritually, all forms of evil facing our great country Nigeria. But for now, I have instructed every branch of fire pentecostal ministries to keep praying for the peace of the nation.

How do you think Christians should safeguard themselves from these attacks by members of the dreaded Boko Haram?

I have said it before, no Christian should watch him or herself to be killed. The Christian man or woman should be prayerful, and physically protect his or her environment from easy attack by any evil person or group, and also prepare for self defense if the need be.

What of the call on Igbos in the North to send members of their families home as a result of the continued attacks on them?

I have said it times without number that no one should watch his or her self being killed. It is only a tree that stands where it is, even when a plan to kill it is made known to it. Everyone knows that for now, Igbos are not safe in the North, so they should go back home, until the situation improves.

Every northerner in the East has gone back to the North. So, I see nothing wro-ng for Igbos going back home.

They should all go home for safety until peace returns.