March 12, 2010

GENEVA – The general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, has conveyed the LWF's prayers and condolences to victims of violence in the recent attacks in northern Nigeria. He also urges the country's religious and political leadership to work together in providing meaningful responses that secure peace and justice.

In a statement released today, Noko emphasized that retaliatory acts of violence can only worsen conflict. He expressed shock and sadness at the continued cycle of attacks, saying the "horrifying images of death, injury, pain and destruction shown in the media give a tragically vivid picture of the intolerable consequences of violence and revenge."

According to media reports, hundreds of civilians were killed on 7 March in attacks on towns near the northern Nigerian city of Jos in the Plateau State. Similar violence occurred in January this year.

The recurrence of violence in the northern region points "to unresolved – but resolvable – issues in the nation-building process," said Noko. He referred to a 24 February statement by the Fellowship of the Churches of Christ in Nigeria – TEKAN, comprising churches across the country, which comprehensively outlined the root causes of such conflict and immediate obstacles to peace in the region.

"Issues concerning Nigerian identity, the ‘indigene-settler' question, and underlying religious questions are constitutional matters that are the responsibility of, and require decisive action of the Nigerian government as a whole," said Noko. He urged the authorities to bring to justice those who by their actions or inaction have been responsible for the bloodshed.

Noko noted that the "cycle of bloodshed contradicts the leading role that Nigeria has played in conflict resolution and peace promotion initiatives in the region." He further called on religious leaders from the affected area to work jointly in "the healing of long memories of bloodshed and injustice, and to set an example of togetherness against violence."

The LWF has two member churches in Nigeria – the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) and the Lutheran Church of Nigeria. The LCCN is a founding member of TEKAN.

The full text of Dr Noko's statement is available on the LWF Web site at: http://www.lutheranworld.org/LWF_Documents/LWF_Statement_NNigeria-2010-EN.pdf.

Lutheran World Information