… Clerics demand justice

From Felix Ikem, Nsukka

Clerics are vexed over the gruesome murder of Mrs. Eunice Olawale, in Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja last weekend.
Mrs. Olawale, wife of  a  pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Abuja, was killed during a routine morning evangelism. She was also a pastor in the same church.
From the South East, residents of Nsukka, Enugu State, have described her murder as “abomination that will surely attract the wrath of God.”
Residents told newsmen in Nsukka, that what happened was an indication of the level of insecurity in the country.
Rev. Jude Uchechukwu, pastor of House of Liberty Church, Nsukka, said “killing of the woman who was on early morning evangelism showed that the end time is here, if preachers of the gospel have become targets for murder.
‘It’s unfortunate and a sign of the end-time that a woman who is preaching the gospel of salvation will be murdered in cold blood.
“What is happening in this country now should give God-fearing Nigerians concern as people no longer respect God. Government should wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property.”
Rev Chika Eze, overseer, of Highway Great Assembly, also in Nsukka, described Mrs. Olawale’s killing as an abomination that was capable of attracting the wrath of God if those behind the crime failed toconfess and ask for God’s mercy.
“It is an abomination for one to contemplate to kill a preacher of the gospel of Christ. Those who are trying to dare God should be ready to face consequences of their actions, unless they confess and ask for God’s forgiveness.”
Mrs Philomena Ogummah, an evangelist, urged Christians in the country not to develop cold feet in preaching the gospel.
“That’s why the Bible says we should not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the spirit but should only fear God who can kill the body and the spirit. Those who killed the woman will never know peace in their lives as they have murdered sleep. She will be remembered as a dedicated Christian who died on active service while trying to win souls for Christ.
Pastor in charge of Freedom Gospel of God Ministries in Onitsha, Mr. Chuks  said God would condemn the bloody murder by some assailants who might have felt offended in one way or the other by her preaching of the truth.
He demanded in-depth, speedy investigation of the murder. “Even if we don’t have the fear of God again in this country, don’t  we have the Constitution that protects people’s rights of worship and religion? Why should Christians be killed like cows and nothing is happening. The other time a woman was killed in Kano market by some Muslim fundamentalists and up till now, we have not heard anything about it.”
Pastor in charge of Holy Ghost Power Ministries, Nkpor, Prophet John Nwadike also said the wrath of God would soon befall those fighting the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to protect every citizen in the country including Muslims and Christians, and ensure that those who committed the crime of the killings of men and women of God were brought to book according to the Constitution of the country.


… Ezekwesili, others call for speedy probe

Former Education Minister, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili  has urged the Federal Government and security agencies, particularly, the police, to expedite action and resolve the murder of Mrs Eunice Olawale.
In a tweet at 1.17pm yesterday, on her personal  handle, @obyezeks, the former  minister and advocate of the rescue of the 210 school girls abducted by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014c in Chibok, Borno State said government should act fast, not only on the nurder of Mrs. Olawale, but, also resolve the murder of another woman in Kano two months ago. “Two women-Bridget Agbahime and now, Eunice Elisha have been needlessly killed for their faith.
“The federal government and police owe them speedy justice.”
Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese.Bishop Felix Ajakaye said, “It’s callous. Religion is not by force. And nobody can fight for God. We are just killing ourselves for nothing in the name of religion. It is highly condemnable. It is very sad. Such person who carried out the act is satanic and not godly at all.
“I commiserate with the family. I pray that God will be with them continually. And our government needs to stop those wicked people from telling the world that we have no respect for human life.” he added.
Lead Pastor of Kings Dominium Church, Apostle Daniel Olufemi said: “It is a sign of end time. Christians should see it as persecution which Jesus Christ has prophesied would happen before he returns to take the saints home.
“But the government however should as well try all it could to stop the heartless people who in the name of religion takes delight in shedding human blood. It is clear that you will never see a Christian going to attack Muslim or  kill them for preaching.
“Only the Muslims do that. And that means they are contradicting themselves when they say their religion is religion of peace. Government should stop them from continuing those barbaric act. The person they killed has gone to rest but the blood guilt is upon the one who shed the blood of fellow human being,” he added.