BY PATRICK MGBODO
A Delta State–based cleric, Bishop Kenneth Ebolum, has thrown his weight behind growing calls for Nigerian Christians to be legally allowed to bear arms for self-defence, citing the worsening insecurity across the country.
The Pointer recalls that the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, recently described Nigeria as a country of particular concern, with the Federal Government denying allegations of Christian genocide in the country.
However, in an exclusive interview with The Pointer, Bishop Ebolum, who is the lead Pastor of Dominion Christian Centre in Asaba, opined that the allegations of Christian genocide in northern Nigeria were real and fuelled by Islamic extremism.
Bishop Ebolum supported the idea of Christians being allowed to bear arms, albeit responsibly, to tame the tide of insecurity, stressing that such measures would checkmate the excesses of banditry and other forms of insecurity in the country.
‘’In the early 70s, I went to Federal Government College, Kano. My classmates were Muslims. They prayed in the mosque; we prayed in the chapel. We ate in the same dining hall. We slept in the same dormitories. But over time, some became indoctrinated and radicalised, and began to see Christians as infidels. Hate became a lifestyle.
‘’The extremists: Fulani, bandits, and Islamists, take it to the extreme. They kill those who do not share their religion. But northern Nigeria is not entirely Muslim. In Plateau State, we have Christians, like the Berom, for example. But intolerance grew over time. So yes, Christian genocide is a reality in Nigeria.
‘’I think that we should be allowed to arm ourselves. Christians should be armed. Yes. Let me tell you a story. I went to America some years ago. My brother and I went to a restaurant to eat. ‘’Before we left the house, he lifted his shirt and showed me his gun, tucked in. I was scared and asked him why. He said he doesn’t feel properly dressed in America without it. Everyone has one. Before anyone misbehaves in public, they think twice.’’ he said.
Recall that the member representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen Ned Nwoko, proposed the Self-Defence and Firearms Ownership Regulation Bill to allow civilians to bear arms for self-defence.
