The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued another warning to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pastor Williams Kumuyi, the General Overseer of the Deeper Life Ministry, against a crusade slated for Aba, Abia State, between May 24 and 29.

In a press release made available to FIJ on Saturday, and signed by Emma Powerful, the group’s media and publicity secretary, IPOB asked that Kumuyi shelve the crusade because of insecurity in the region.

“We maintain our sincere advice to Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Life Ministry on his planned crusade in Aba. This advice must be taken seriously and not ignored because if anything outward happens to anyone in the said crusade, we will hold him responsible,” the statement read in part.

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The group also accused CAN of folding its hands and keeping mum over the incessant killings of its members and playing politics rather than speaking up.

“CAN must understand that they have not met the expectations of their members and the Christian community in Nigeria. CAN is busy playing politics and allowing Muslim fanatics to slaughter Christians everywhere in Nigeria,” said IPOB.

“It is unbelievable that the Christian Association of Nigeria would not summon the courage to fight for their members when Muslims and its security men attack and murder their members. They should however understand that IPOB will not fold its hands and watch our people deliberately put in harm’s way to be slaughtered because of a crusade, when they know that politicians will employ their local thugs to slaughter people and tag it that IPOB was responsible for such an attack.

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“The Christian Association of Nigeria is actually missing in action while hundreds of its members are being massacred daily either by the terrorists or by the Nigerian security apparatus. Just some days back, a suicide bomber detonated his suicide belt in a Christian school, killing many school children. Where is CAN and what has been its reaction? IPOB does not have any issues with Kumuyi or other pastors or men and women of God for that matter.”

IPOB urged CAN to be firm in defending and protecting the interests of Christians across the nation.

“CAN should stop gambling with people’s lives and Christians should understand that their lives matter,” IPOB said.

“CAN must be firm in defending the interest of  Christians at all times because that is one of its core responsibility.”

In an earlier statement, IPOB had advised Kumuyi against the crusade, saying the region is insecure due to political activities.