CAN, Ohaukwu community declare war against masqueraders

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ohaukwu Local government chapter, together with the council chairman, Mr Odono Ikechukwu and deputy speaker of the state house of assembly, Chinedu Onah, on Tuesday declared war against masquerades and masqueraders in Ngbo communities.

The association, however threatened to take legal action against anybody using masquerade or masquerading to attack, intimidate, harass and victimize Christians in Ngbo communities, adding that enough is enough of all the torture metered on the Ministers of God in the area. The leadership of CAN, Ohaukwu Chapter, made this known in a five page communique signed by the chairman, The Rev. Ozor Simon, Heads of Churches in Ngbo and Izhia and issued to newsmen shortly after a Solemn Assembly held at Methodist Cathedral Ndulo Ngbo on Tuesday.

The communique reads in part: "Following the incessant harassment/ attacks with dangerous weapons on Ministers of God and church members in Ngbo and Izhia by masquerades and masqueraders, Heads of churches in the area under the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ohaukwu Chapter declared a Solemn Assembly to review the security threats on Church Ministers and members with a view to avert loss of lives and further harassment/attacks on ministers of God, and church members. "In particular, the Solemn Assembly condemned in totality the following gruesome harassment/attacks on the ministers of God and church members by masquerade and masqueraders in Ngbo communities. The association, however lamented that over ten ministers of God and members of various churches in Ngbo and Izhia communities were severely attacked, tortured, victimized and harassed by bad people using masquerading as a dirty business to extort money and steal people's property. "Based on the forgoing, the Solemn Assembly by the Heads of Churches under CAN Ohaukwu Chapter condemned in its entirety the unlawful attack on Ministers of God, Church Members and the general public by masqueraders and masquerades in markets and on the roads in Ngbo and Izhia and resolved as follows: "The Solemn Assembly expressed support for the law established by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Ohaukwu Legislators banning the operation of masquerades and masqueraders along the roads and markets and called on the relevant Authorities to ensure strict compliance adding that those arrested should be made to face the wrath of the Law. "The Solemn Assembly raised alarm on the hijack of masquerading activities by hoodlums and cultists who hide under their operation to rob, destroy and forcefully seize innocent people's goods and properties thereby deepening people's suffering in the present day economic hardship. "The Heads of Churches condemned the criminality and deadly activities of dangerous men and women who hide under the guise of sale of sacramental objects to dispose poisonous charms such as"atu erue", "miri ozu" and other unspeakable instant deadly instruments and charms in the markets of Ngbo and Izhia including dangerous men and women who hide under the guise of "Ezenwanyi" and "Ezenwoke" to perpetuate evil and called on the relevant authorities to ensure immediate evacuation of such dead traps from Ohaukwu LGA; "The Solemn Assembly condemned the sale of hard drugs such as methamphetamine diphosphate (nkpuru mmiri), Indian hemp andall other forms of hard drugs in Ngbo and Izhia markets and called on the relevant authorities to strictly implement the existing laws and make Ohaukwu free from these nefarious instruments and materials. "The Solemn Assembly lamented the massive recruitment of Ngbo and Izhia youths into cultism and using the youths to cause confusion, clashes, killings and other forms of wickedness which has made life uncomfortable for the innocent and peace loving people of the area and called on leaders at all levels including parents,village heads, town union presidents, Traditional rulers, political office holders and indeed all people of good will to rise up to their responsibilities to save our society from doom. "The Heads of Churches commended the Ohaukwu Legislators for banning sale of sacramental objects and other similar religious materials which has been hijacked by hoodlums and resolved that church members should buy such materials from genuine dealers within the church premises" it stated. In their sperate reactions, the deputy speaker, Chinedu Onah, however called on the heads of churches in Ngbo and Izhia to shun disunity, urging them to rise against fake prophecy, and should ensure that all churches and ministeries are registered with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ohaukwu LGA chapter. He further urged CAN leaders in Ohaukwu to join politics, to enable them make decisions on who governs them in the state, especially in Ohaukwu LGA. Onah also condemned in totality the incessant illegal collection of Internal Generated Revenue and taxes from peasant farmers at Okwo Ngbo market by unapproved tax collectors. Responding, the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Mr Ikechukwu Odono, however banned masquerades and masqueraders from plying major roads in the Council area, and threatened to arrest any masquerades that violate the order. He also condemned cult activities in Ohaukwu local government area and urged the christian leaders in the council to pray for the peace of the area.