The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, (Northern Region), has expressed its displeasure over statements credited to an Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, alleging that the recent abduction of nine children in Kano State was done with intention of forcibly converting them to Christianity.
MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, while reacting to the rescue of the abducted children from a couple in Anambra State, Paul and Mercy Onwe, alleged that kidnappers had taken over the house of God.
“The phenomenon of kidnapping for Christ has now rented the air. It is such a big shame that some Christian fanatics will live among us only for the purpose of abducting our children, converting them to Christianity and selling them into slavery,” Akintola had said.
However, in a statement issued in Abuja by the Vice Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Hayab, CAN did not only dismissed MURIC’s claim, but also described Akintola’s comment as reckless, irresponsible, derogatory and provocative.
It further called on the federal government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the abduction alongside their accomplices.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the Muslim Rights Concerned, MURIC, on the abduction of 9 children in Kano by criminals.
“While we condemn the abduction of the children in very strong terms, we wish to state that we take very strong exception to the rash and disparaging comments by MURIC. There is nothing like kidnapping for Christ.
“Criminals abound everywhere and in every religion. For MURIC to say a crime was perpetrated for Christ, is sheer mischief aimed at provoking Christians.
“We have had many instances where Christian girls were abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married off by criminals in Northern Nigeria.
“We also have the case of Leah Sharibu who is still being held by Boko Haram insurgents for refusing to denounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam.
“No Christian has associated Muslims with such criminal acts. We only cry for our own who are victims.
“We, Northern Christians, are calling on Nigeria authorities to investigate and prosecute the culprits involved in the abduction of the children in Kano.
“If we have any witness against the culprits behind the abduction, we will join hands with the people of Kano to testify against him or them in court.
“Abduction of children is a criminal offence. MURIC can call whoever is found doing that whatever name they like but it should not associate criminality with Christ.”
