The Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) on Thursday promised to resort to self defence if the Federal Government and Taraba State government failed to ensure immediate release of their members from kidnappers as well as end banditry activities in the state.
The southern conference also alleged that banditry, particularly in Yorro Local Government Area, is being targeted at the Christians in the area.
They insisted that both traditional rulers and political office-holders, past and present in the area, should come out clear with concrete proof that their hands are clean, to counter the video in circulation where the key leader of the kidnappers is alleging that they have the backing of some people in the area.
In a press conference in Lanka Viri, Yorro Local Government Area, the president, Reverend Micah Dopa, expressed concern over the continued hostage of their clerics and members of Yorro community by kidnappers for almost a month after ransom had been paid.
According to Reverend Dopa, the church paid N11,000,000 ransom for its pastors, but the kidnappers decided to release only the Muslim victims in their custody.
“We want both the federal and Taraba state governments to act fast to end this incident and ensure the release of our pastors and 14 others or, we will resort to self-defence which is both biblical and constitutional.
“After receiving reports from the district superintendents and members on the state of security in Yorro Local Government Area, we wish to inform the whole world that the area is under siege by kidnappers.
“About 20 people were kidnapped in Pupule town, including two pastors. Reverend Elkanah Ayuba and Reverend Simon Ezra and some members of the church on December 19, 2023, and up till now, they are in the custody of kidnappers.
“On December 23, 2023, the kidnappers also launched another invasion on Dila village where Hon Dimas Ishaya Dila of UMC Dila Charge and others were taken away,’’ he said.
The conference, while commending President Bola Tinubu, Governor Agbu Kefas, as well as security operatives on their efforts in tackling security challenges, implored the Yorro community to be security conscious by reporting strange movements of suspicious people to relevant security agencies for prompt action, adding that government alone cannot provide the needed security in the society.
Meanwhile, the state police command said it had already mapped out strategies to flush out bandits, not only in Yorro Local Government Area, but the state at large.
Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, told journalists while reacting to the press conference by the Southern Conference of UMC.
He appealed for calm and provision of useful information to the police to ease the planned action against kidnappers.
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