BY SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

LAGOS – CATHOLIC Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Ibadan have condemned attack on St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Jos, fortnight ago by suspected members of Boko Haram, which left many worshippers dead.

Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde and the General Overseer of Bible Life Church, Lagos, Bishop Leonard Umunna, also  condemned the continued attacks on Christians by the sect.

In a statement signed by Archbishop of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie and Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo Diocese, the bishops described the continuous attack on churches as unfortunate and chided the government for not doing enough to stop activities of the sect.

“We note that President Goodluck Jonathan, through his media aide, issued the very same assurance as he has done many times before and called on Nigerians to refrain from retaliation.

”The fact that some reprisal attacks claimed even more lives after the suicide-bombers’ dastardly action demonstrated that the President and his speeches have little power and credibility,” the statement added.

Prelate Makinde, in a statement by the Media and Public Relations Officer of Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, argued that the attacks have now become a “Sunday-Sunday occurrence which corroborates the fact that they are no mere coincidence.”

He said: “The way forward is to unmask the sponsors and perpetrators of these acts of terrorism. This is clearly the approach required for the lives of innocent Nigerians which are being wasted to be preserved.”

While condemning the spate of killings of Christians in the North, Bishop Umunna blamed the security situation in the country for the renewed clamour for Sovereign National Conference, pointing out that people no longer feel safe in certain parts of the country.

“Those canvassing the convocation of a SNC are right in their reasoning because the state of the nation calls for dialogue especially as they perceive that elected lawmakers are not giving them what they want.

“My advice to the National Assembly is to allow for a referendum to be conducted to redress perceived imbalances in the country. I am happy with the quality of leadership at the current National Assembly; they are doing well. They have listening ears; they should critically look into this and address the issue in such a way that will satisfy the people,” he stated.