“Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man, from the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Gen. 9:5-6). Of all creation, man’s life is most sacred to God. Willful violation of another’s life calls for retribution by fellowmen God’s agents. Violence, the use of physical force, usually with intent to violate or destroy is a violation of God’s perfect order. This the Greek word translated as “Violent force” applies to the disorderly mob of Acts 21:35. But if godly people are subject to the human instability that causes violence, they also have the hope of seeking refuge in God’s stability (2 Sam. 22:3). Faith in Him can lead to a quenching of the violence of fire (Heb. 11:34). God hates people, religion of violence and terrorism (Ps.11:5). Christianity and Christians promote peace and are peacemaker (Mt. 5:9, Rom. 12:18, 14: 19, Heb. 12:14, 1 Cor. 7:15, 2 Tim. 2:22).
But on the contrary, Islamic religion advocates violence, terrorism specifically against Christians and non-Christians. Few citations from their scripture, the Quran suffice here. History tells us that Omar Ibn el-kharrab was the architect of the Islamic state. He observe the following principles (A) The religion of the state is Islam. “The Prophet before dying said that no two religions may co-exist is the Arab Peninsula” (Life of the Prophet by Ibu Hisham 11, 813). (b) “The Arabs outside of the Arab Peninsula must continue to be jihadists, i.e. The religious military group” (c) A number of verses in the Quran sanctions war and encourage fighting: “O prophet! Exhort the believers to fight. If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred steadfast they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve” (Sura 8:65). “Fight against those who have been given the scripture and do not believe in Allah nor the last day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His Messenger, and follow not the religion of truth, so that they pay tribute readily being brought low” (Sura 9:39) “And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for discord is worse then slaughter” (Sura, 2:191) “And fight them until discord is no more, and religion is for Allah” (Surai 2:193) “ “Think not of those who are slain in the way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are living” (Sura 3:169). “O ye who believe fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty unto him” (Sura 9:123). “They long that ye should disbelieve even as they disbelieve, that ye may be upon a level with them. So choose not friends from them till they forsake their homes in the way of Allah; if they turn back, then take them and kill them wherever ye find them, and choose no friend nor helper from among them” (Sura 4:89).
There are much more Suras in the Muslim Quran that made it a duty for Muslim to kill, cut off non-Muslims, Christians hands, leg and tear open pregnant women belly all in fulfillment of Islamic agenda of Islamization and going to heaven. Muslims scholars cannot dispute that these, jihad, suicide bombing, violence and terrorism is taught in the holy Quran and practice by Muslim faithful. So Boko Haram insurgence is not a new phenomenon rather it’s Islam old ways being put to practice in Nigeria aimed at Islamizing Nigeria by force-terrorism. Boko Haram spokes person in an interview on AIT recently confirmed this in their statement. In “Understanding Islam”, with regards to the enemies of Islam the Quran clearly indicates their fate (Sura 5:33) ‘The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and his messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut officer will be expelled from the land. Such will be their degradation in the work and in the hereafter; theirs will be an awful doom” (Sura 33). In addition, the Quran exhorts Muslims not to take Jews or Christians for friends. This lack of trust toward any non Muslim is prominent throughout Quran (see Sura 5: 51; Sura 3 : 118). Not only does the Quran enforce an intolerant attitude toward non – Muslims, but it constantly exhorts the “faithful” to begin a holy war-jihad against Jews, Christians and other non – Muslims. This kind of teaching makes it virtually impossible for muslins to interact on a trust basis with anyone who is not a member of the Muslim community. Islamic “superiority” reaches its apex in the Quran passage quoted earlier (Sura5:33) where Muslims are commanded to fight non- Muslims and anyone who rejects Allah and his apostle. Some protest that the Quran speaks well of the Jews and Christians in other passages. This is true; however the orthodox interpretation is that the latter Quranic sections, (containing the above text) have cancelled or replaced the earlier ones. Islam teaches that Judaism and Christianity have been completely overshadowed by Islam because Islam is the final revelation of God. Muslims are the keepers of the faith and are commanded by God, through the Quran, to take over the world and subdue it since they are the only true followers of the true God. It follow logically therefore that they have taken up arms and declared “holy war” in certain areas of the world. “Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal courteously with them now. Know that Allah is with the righteous “ (N.J. Daniel, trans the Koran, London. Regime Books, 19956, p.333.)
Christianity teach “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to Judgment”(Mt. 5:21-22) “You here heard that it was said , “Eye for eye, and do not resist an evil person. If someone strike you at the right check, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Mt 5.38-41). “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Mt.5:43-45; also 6: 1-7:29). Matthew 5: 38-39, the principle of don’t resist an evil person does not mean you should not defend yourself against the onslaught of an enemy, one, who want to kill you. Rather Matthew 5:38-42, the law of retaliation (see Ex. 21;24, Lev. 24:20 ; Deut. 19:21) was not intended to encourage personal revenge but to protect the offender from punishment harsher than his offense warranted. Jesus forbids revenge by insisting upon positive good in the face of evil in terms of personal insults (V.39), legal contention (V.40), forced labour (v 41) and requests for gifts or loans (v.42).
History record and the bible also attest to this fact that Islamic religion believes and practice violence against non-Muslims as a means of expansion of their faith. The present Boko Haram insurgence and Islamic jihadists on Christians in Northern Nigeria is premeditated and Islamic agenda. It is not just the political class who lost elections getting even with the governments. They are using religion to advance Islamic expansion by terroristic attack. The interview granted by Tishau, a Boko Haram Chieftain, attests to this. Tishau speaks from SSS Cell: Q: What is Boko Haram about? A: Our aim is to spread Islam all over Nigeria, that is our mission and I want people to understand that our correct name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad. Those calling our group Boko Haram do so to discredit the group and it ideas. It was formed at three fundamental levels. The first level from which our group emerged was from people in this country who, for selfish reasons, recruited young people and sometimes children and sent them overseas for education. In reality, these people are totally ignorant of the reasons why these big men take them abroad. In the name of education, these young men are taken to mostly Arab countries and turned into militants who respect only those who sponsored them abroad. Those big men who sponsor these youths don’t have any conscience and no love for this country.”
“It all started in 2004 when the Government of Mauritania fell. It is similar to what is happening in Libya now, though slightly different. When the government in Mauritania fell in 2004, some individuals from that country came into Nigeria to recruit some youths as mercenaries to join forces with them to overthrow the government in power. The second level of our membership is made up of young men who were recruited by our late leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Yusuf was approached by some people from Mauritania to recruit more Nigerians to continue with the struggle in Mauritania. The grounds were that this young people were being recruited to further their Islamic studies. They were to serve as a support group to the Mauritanian army. But our leader Mohammed Yusuf rejected the plan. But a number of Nigerian big men who were involved in the Mauritania struggle were angry with Yusuf. This led to a disagreement which pitched the young men loyal to Yusuf against those backing the big men. Yusuf, however, insisted on genuine Islam whereas those opposing him were mercenaries who were willing to serve their master’s interest in Mauritania.”
“Q: At what point did they leave perfect Islam and become violent?
Whatever I am telling you now I have already made available to the SSS when they arrested me. There was a misunderstanding within the group and this disagreement was between those who received military training in Mauritania and those who were loyal to Yusuf. The SSS infiltrated our ranks and began to arrest many of those who were militants. However, as they were arrested some big men moved in to ensure that the court released them and they came back caused more problems within our group.
In 2009 the disagreement developed into a crisis in areas where our group was spreading Islamic ideals. I was in charge of our operations in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau. The crisis was more in Bauchi State in two locations and in Kano in one location. In Bauchi, a group began to lay claim to a mosque that was built by our group. This caused a major crisis again and a young girl was kidnapped in Bauchi and taken to Borno State. Our group was fingered but we told one intelligence officer, Bala, who was investigating the case that her relations took her to Borno and if the issue was not handled well it could cause a crisis. The SSS directed us to contact the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to secure the girl’s release. We were still in the process when the Bauchi State governor directed that members of our group should be driven away from the state. That was how our people started to resist the forced evacuation and the crisis with the government spread to Borno State. In fact, the crisis began in Bauchi and not Borno.”
In history, this has been their method. In “World History and cultures” by George T. Thompson and Laurel Elizabeth Hicks history record the persecution of the Church (A.D. 98-313) thus: “At the end of the apostolic age, the Church was a movement of some 500,000 believers meeting in local assemblies scattered throughout part of Africa, Asia and Europe. The fire of fierce persecution now descended upon the church as Satan hurled his venom against the Christians in a rain attempt to squelch their witness of Jesus Christ. (The word martyr means, “a witness” in Greek). However, the unconquerable faith and patience exhibited by the martyrs in the face of torture and death caused the ranks of the Christians to swell with new converts. As the church father Tertullian declared: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Between A.D 64 and 313, there were ten great persecutions of Christians in the period of persecution as the most powerful and dying empire”. “Under Nero in A. D. 64, during the reign of demented, depraved Nero (A.D.54-68) Multitudes of believers were crucified or torn to pieces by savage dogs; still others were covered with parch and used as human touches in the emperor’s garden at night. According to early tradition, the Apostle Paul was beheaded by Nero at Rome in this persecution; he was not tortured because he still a Roman citizen. The Apostle Peter, however, was not so fortunate; condemned to crucified, he insisted on being crucified upside down because he did no deem himself worthy to die in the same manner as his master”.
What should be response of Christians and non-Muslims to Boko Haram insurgent and Islamic jihadists attack? (a) Watch: be aware about on-goings around you. Who are your stewards, drivers, domestic staff, electricians, janitors and plumbers who work in your house repairs? Who is your security guard? Who is your personal Assistant, front desk officer? Who are you doing business with or partners in business? Where do you go to and frequent to spend your leisure time on recreation. Get necessary information on security and activities of terrorists especially Boko Haram and Islamic Jihadists. The Bible say be vigilant (I Pet. 5:8) and watchful (Mt. 26:41). Pray and praise God: Prayer is a weapon to resist onslaught of terrorist and attack of Boko Haram. Praising God ambushed terrorist attack. God inhabit praise and uses prayer and praise of God’s people to disarm, confuse and overcome onslaught of terrorists attack of the nation of Israel under the leadership of Nehemiah who prayed to God (see Neh.4:4 -6). The Church prayed and Apostle Peter was released from detention (see Acts 12: 5 12). By prayer and praise to God you release the awesome power of God, the Chief security Officer and protector of all lives to enforce security and protection against terrorism.
Arm yourself with security gadgets to defend yourself and properties: Nehemiah 4: 13-18, “13Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. 16And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.”
Christians must not turn the other cheek when attacked by intruders, terrorist, murderers and Islamic jihadists. Turning the other cheek is a defense against an offender to reduce the degree of punishment. This is a cultural practice in Israel not the practice when someone want to take your life and destroy your property. Hence when Haman plot to kill all Jewish people, the people of God through Queen Esther got the King to enact a new decree to reverse earlier decree which now empowered them to defend themselves against the plot of their enemy to eliminate them. The people of Israel defended themselves well armed to overcome terrorism. Esther and her Jewish people fasted and prayed, armed themselves and defended themselves (see Esther chapters 3, 4, 8). Esther 9:1 17, “1Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) 2The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.” “ 3And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. 6And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. 12And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. 13Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. 15For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. 16But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.”
From these scriptures, it is clear God sanction self defense against terrorism and any form of attempt to kill and destroy property. It is an error to turn the other cheek when being attacked by terrorists and Islamic jihadists. You don’t turn the other cheek when someone want to kill you and destroy your property. Christians acquire sophisticated security gargets, arm yourself, have escorts and kill whoever that wants to kill you and loot your property. It is scriptural (See Ex. 22:2, 21:24, Lev. 24: 20, Deut. 19:21), “Whoever sheds man’s blood by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man” (Gen, 9:6). God here says that whoever shed blood should be killed. When man erred, God took security measure to place angels armed with sword to keep off intruders from the tree of life and knowledge (see Gen. 3:22-24). Jesus had security guards, his disciples armed. Hence when the Jews came to arrest Jesus, Peter with the sword cut off Marcus ear. Jesus did not ask Peter to throw away the sword but to put it back in its place (see Mt. 26:52- 54). Finally Christians put on your armour of faith and declare the decree to disarm and put all terrorists, blood thirsty Boko Haram and Islamic Jihadists to flight-out of existence. (See Eph. 6:10-18 cp Ps 2:8, Job 22:28-29). Terrorism and violence are instrument of God’s judgment in the hands of infidels and wicked people to kill, main and destroy lives and properties (Jer. 15:8; Ezek. 21, 12). God promise to the Christian believer, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day; Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday” (Ps. 91:5-6). First Peter 3:13-16, “13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” “For God, Knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9).
Christians should exercise faith in God to overcome terrorism, Boko Haram insurgence and Islamic Jihadists attack (Read Hebrew Chapter 11). Exercise faith in God by prayer (see Isaiah 50: 6 11, Ezra 8:21-23). David praised and prayed for deliverance from violence (2 Sam. 22:1 -4) When they plotted to kill Apostle Paul, he got soldiers to provide security and defended himself by enforcing his right as a citizen of that place (see Acts 21: 30 -35, 22:23 -29; 23: 9 24). Christians should not allow themselves to be slaughter by Boko Haram and Islamic Judaists. They must take steps to enforce their rights. Right to life protection, association and disassociation, self defense and what have you. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) should take the initiative to get security agencies to protect Christian believers all over Nigeria. They should disassociate from meetings with Islamic organizations and any bank that enforce Shariah laws or Islamic Banking. CAN and PFN should place demand on Government to carryout their duties of providing security of lives and properties of God’s people, the Christians. God hates violence (Ps. 11:5). Scriptures predict violence in the land (see Jer. 51:46, Ezek. 7:11, 23). Do no violence to any person (Luke 3:14). I decree no more violence attack on Christians and churches in Jesus Christ name, Amen (Isa. 60: 18). Evil shall hurt the violent man (PS. 140:11) God shall deliver you from violent (Ps. 18: 48). The end has come for Boko Haram insurgence and Islamic jihadists attack on Christians and churches. Any person or group of persons under any guise to unleashed unprovoked attack on Christians and churches shall hence forth be destroyed in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
E-mail: akpogena@yahoo.com
Dr. Lewis Akpogena
08055059656
