FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The head of the Baptist World Alliance called on Nigeria's president to take action to prevent further violence like an attack that killed the pastor and several members of a Baptist church on Christmas Eve.
Neville Callam
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Neville Callam, general secretary of the global Baptist network based in Falls Church, Va., wrote Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan urging him to "take all necessary measures to eliminate the conflict and violence with their accompanying human rights violations."
A wave of violence has rocked Africa's most populous nation in recent weeks in anticipation of upcoming elections. Boko Haram, an outlawed radical Islamic sect, is presumed to be linked to the terror, including a Christmas Eve attack on Victory Baptist Church in Maiduguri, the capital and the largest city of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria.
"This kind of violence that broke out during one of the most important Christian celebrations, Christmas, claiming many innocent lives, is unacceptable," Callam told the Nigerian leader. He urged the president "to ensure the protection and security of all citizens in the areas of conflict" and to "introduce more programs that ensure peace and reconciliation."
Callam also sent a letter of encouragement and support to Ademola Ishola, general secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, one of two BWA member bodies in the nation.
"It was with great shock and profound sorrow that we heard the news of the tragic and unprovoked attacks against Christian churches in Jos and Maiduguri," Callam wrote. "We are immensely saddened by this new episode of violence against our brothers and sisters in northern Nigeria … which have become so frequent. On the behalf of the Baptist family around the world, we extend our prayers and solidarity to the families of those who died, and to those who have been injured."
Nigeria is home to Africa's largest Baptist community. The population is 50 percent Muslim, 40 percent Christian and 10 percent indigenous beliefs. Sectarian violence has intensified in recent years, especially in border areas between Nigeria's Muslim-dominated north and predominantly Christian south.
Attacks in December continued into January and targeted police. At least seven police officers have been killed by militants since October 2010.
Religious leaders of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths have denounced both violence in Nigeria and the New Year's Day bombing of a Coptic Christian church in Egypt as worshippers gathered to celebrate a midnight Mass.
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Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.
Previous ABP stories:
Christian, Muslim leaders condemn attacks in Egypt, Nigeria (1/4)
Nigerian Baptist leader says clashes political, not religious (3/17/2010)