• The Bishop of the Diocese of Egba, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev. Emmanuel Adekunle, has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, over the killings there

The clergyman said this during the second session of the 15th synod titled, ‘Children: For theirs is the kingdom of God, held in Abeokuta on Sunday.

Adekunle urged the government to stop the killing of innocent citizens in the country.

The bishop lamented the unrestrained killing of people in Southern Kaduna and urged the government to ensure that all forms of killing in different parts of the country were stopped.

The cleric also urged the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to consider replacing the service chiefs and head of security agencies with younger persons.

According to him, younger and virile generals are likely to have new ideas and tactics to combat insurgency and national security challenges.

“The Federal Government should declare a state of emergency in the Southern Kaduna area and stop the killing of the innocent citizens in the area and other parts of the country,” he said.

While advising the people and the government, Adekunke said, “There should be even distribution of government presence in all the federating units of Nigeria.

“Let more concern be shown towards funding education, health, agriculture, power and national security.”

Speaking on this year’s synod theme, the bishop advised parents and guardians to wake up to their responsibilities of nurturing their children and wards in the path of God.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osun State, on Sunday, called on churches in the state to observe special prayers to support victims of the crises in Southern Kaduna.

A statement by the Chairman of the association in the state, Bishop Amos Ogunrinde, also directed members to wear black attire to mourn the victims of the crises.

Ogunrinde, who expressed concern over the killings in Southern Kaduna, said the crises had claimed over 1,000 lives.

The statement read in part, “We cannot at this time continue to keep silent about these bloody attacks, but to collectively cry to the Lord of hosts that has the power to fight on behalf of these innocent souls, who are on a daily basis suffering under the hands of their tormentors.

“Therefore, as Christians, whose weapons are not carnal, OSCAN is calling on all Christians across the state to dedicate at least 10 minutes of prayers for the people of Southern Kaduna on Sunday, August 23, 2020.”