U-Report: American Jewish Committee Condemns Attacks On Nigerian Christians

Report By: AJC Media Centre

AJC condemned the Christmas Day attacks on two churches in northern Nigeria, which left at least 12 Christians, including the pastor of one of the churches, dead.

“The bestiality of this latest assault, regrettably, is not new, but clearly the need to protect Christians in Nigeria demands urgent action,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “No minority, certainly no Christian, in Nigeria should live in constant fear. As Canadian Foreign Minister laudably said, 'We stand with the people and the government of Nigeria, and call for those responsible to be brought to justice.’”

The Church of Christ in Nations in Peri, a village in the northern Nigerian state of Yobe, was set on fire late on Christmas Eve following a shooting attack shortly after midnight mass. Another six were killed at the First Baptist Church in Maiduguri, in Borno state.

Boko Haram, an Islamist sect that has killed hundreds in a murderous campaign against Christians in northern Nigeria, has attacked churches on Christmas Day annually since 2010, as well as many other terrorist assaults.

The group aims to install strict Shariah, or Islamic, law across Nigeria, and has vowed to keep killing Christians in the multiethnic country.

Media reports suggested that the casualties may have been lower this year, as many Christians decided to not attend church services for fear of violence.

News Report: Igbo Group Appeals To President Jonathan

Professor Dora Akunyili.

An Igbo group known as Ndigbo Peace Movement(NPM) has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to grant amnesty on health grounds to the traders standing trial for threat to the life of former Director-general of the National Agency For Food And Drug Administration And Control(NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili.

This appeal was contained in a release made available to chidi opara reports and signed by the President-general of NPM, Chief Uzor A. Uzor

``The fact of the matter is that we reliably gathered that the health of the two detained persons, standing trial before the Supreme Court is deteriorating”. The statement revealed.

``We learned that Mr Olisaemeka Igbokwe is suffering from severe stomach ulcer and chest pains”.

``Mr Chris Mbah is suffering from a serious illness; for which laboratory result is been awaited”.

``Having spent a long time in the course of their trial; NPM is calling on President Jonathan in the spirit of  Christmas and New Year to grant them state pardon.” The statement also said.

chidi opara reports learned that one of the accused persons named Jude (a.k.a Agada), has been discharge and acquitted by the Supreme Court.