By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
The Methodist Church of Nigeria, Synod of Diocese of Atamunu Calabar, has called on the federal government to take immediate action to enhance the capacity of police personnel to effectively address the rising wave of ritual killings and insecurity challenge troubling the the country.
The Synod called on government at all levels to galvanize state apparatus to stem the tide of unabated shedding of innocent blood through wanton killings, vandalization and plundering of national assets.
The Synod noted with dismay the return of paganism, and alarming rate of sacrifices of innocent persons in different parts of the nation for money making purposes by evil individuals in the country.
Chairman, 3rd Annual Synod, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Atamunu Calabar, Rt. Rev. Otuekong Ukut Ph.D, gave the charge while commenting on the state of the nation in Calabar yesterday.
He decried that innocent persons had been murdered and sacrifice for money ritual purposes to wicked gods for with the perpetrators of this dastardly act deceiving themselves that they will make wealth wealth and riches from organ harvesting and trafficking.
In a 10-point communiqué signed by the Synod chairman Rt. Rev Bishop Otuekong Ukut Ph.D, Synod Secretary, Very Rev. Anthony Essien and Lay president Sir Dr. Gabriel Inyang issued at the end of the Synod, the clerics called for strengthening of the capacity of law enforcement agents to enhance investigation, prosecution of ritual killers.
The Synod urged the Nigeria police to improve the knowledge of its personnel, concentrate more on intelligence gathering to identify and disrupt ritual killing networks.
They called on president Tinubu to address underlying issues that includes implementation of policies that will reduce poverty, inequality as well as establish social safety nets to support vulnerable people.
The Synod, admonished churches and Christians to wake up in prayer, be vigilant, so more evangelical to win souls to Christ and bring repentance to these perpetrators.
Other issues which the Synod wants federal government to addressed include, Inter-religious relationship, ecclesiastic matters, restructuring of the nation, state of the economy, reform of Judiciary, state of Cross River, rehabilitation of Calabar Itu road among others.