The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Tor Uja, has advised Nigerians to stop negotiating with kidnappers, saying such is not in the nation’s interest.
Uja said this on Sunday while addressing the last batch of Christian Pilgrims for the 2019 Easter Pilgrimage to Israel, on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, during Prayer Convocation for Nigeria, that the country has the wherewithal to combat any act of criminalities.
The NCPC boss argued that the government is empowering criminals directly by negotiating with them, “too many times we are negotiating with criminals, that should not be the attitude of a great nation.
“Nigeria has the capacity to hunt criminals. We should not succumb to the blackmail of the criminals. The government must not negotiate with criminals. This is not good for the nation. We are empowering them by doing so.”
He added that insecurity across the country had in no small measure reduced evangelism because many Christians had been maimed, killed and displaced.
He, however, urged the Body of Christ not to be deterred with the happenings around them, but remain committed in the belief and faith to overcome the challenges.
Uja also called Nigerians to have attitudinal change about the country, saying Nigeria is not a hopeless country as many thinks.
“Some Nigerians and people around the world see Nigeria as a hopeless and useless country, but the day and the hour is near when the world will celebrate the country.
“We need to prayerfully redefine our nation. Our outcry to God about changing the situation of the country must be with all seriousness. We need to engage banditry, kidnapping and other forms of vices with prayers. When there is sufficient prayer force, mountains in Nigeria will melt.
“God has made Nigeria a great nation. Don’t demean yourself. Be proud of your country. We have everything that we need. God is going to make Nigeria greater than other nations,” he added.