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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Kwara denies role in arrest of CAN leaders
KWARA State government has denied complicity in the arrest on Friday in Ilorin of seven leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) by the State Security Service (SSS).
Briefing journalists at the weekend on the development, the state's Information Commissioner, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin, said only three of the men were picked up by the SSS. He said that they "were never arrested."
The CAN Legal Adviser, Peter Olorunisola (SAN), had told The Guardian that the commissioner should explain the meaning of "no arrest" clause to the public. Peaceful men of honour, according to him, were denied their freedom for over 24 hours "under a democratic setting."
Adedoyin said: "Only three pastors were invited over a circulated pamphlet that portrayed Dr. Olukade as a terrorist and agent of Al-Qaeda here in Kwara State. It is normal, but because of the general mentality of the people that when state security invites anyone over security matter, it is interpreted to mean an arrest."
The commissioner, who denied the existence of any tension in the state, urged the public not to regard Kwara as insecure.
He urged Christians to put behind them the event that led to the abrupt termination of the crusade of the German-born Evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, in Ilorin.
Meanwhile, the State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, has allayed fears of an outbreak of any religious hostilities in Kwara.
According to Abubakar at the weekend in Ilorin, the police would call leaders of the two leading religions for talks on the issue of tolerance.
This development is coming on the heels of a plan by the state government to constitute an inter-religious council in the state.
But Kwara CAN Secretary, Dr. Olusola Ajolore, said all Christians in Kwara would today commence "an early morning cry," to God over the cancellation of the crusade. The crusade was reported to have cost Bonnke and the CAN N30 million.
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