The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has appealed to Boko Haram and other insurgents in Nigeria to stop the wanton killing of citizens and residents.
The appeal was contained in the Christian body’s Easter message to Nigerians in a statement jointly signed by its president, Bishop Wale Oke, deputy president, Johnpraise Daniel, secretary, Cosmas Ilechukwu and publicity secretary, Emma Isong.
The statement read: “PFN urges the different individuals and groups engaged in all forms of terrorist and violent activities to stop this wanton killing of Nigerians. We urge Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations to lay down their arms and table their grievances so that resolutions can be explored.
“We appeal to the bandit herdsmen, kidnappers and the different elements to desist from their criminal activities and give peace a chance. We are highly concerned about the mindless killings and bloodshed all over the nation.”
It also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and other heads of security agencies to do more about securing the lives and properties of Nigerians.
The PFN noted that security is a right that should be enjoyed by all irrespective of religious or ethnic affliation.
“We appeal to President Buhari to do more, as the father of all, to rally Nigerians and ensure that the walls of divide that has polarised Nigerians are brought down,” the group said.
The PFN statement further called on the lawmakers to legislate laws that will adress and meet the concerns of citizens rather than delibrate on matters that don’t have any diret bearing on the welfare of the people.
The PFN said: “We call on the National Assembly to do more in addressing the issues of insecurity unemployment, infrastructure deficit, the rot in education and health sectors, especially the issue of out-of-school children.
“We believe that the legislature can do much more to deliver better governance through the use of its oversight powers, rather than dissipating energy on diversionary bills that do not address the challenges holding Nigerians back.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force on Friday said that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar on Wednesday may have crashed.
Naija News reports that the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet made this known in a statement titled ‘Update On Missing NAF Alpha Jet Aircraft.’
According to the Air Force, the missing pilots are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.
NAF stated that the whereabouts of the two pilots remain unknown.