Christian Community of Raku-Belleng in Jos South LGA, Plateau State bid farewell to its dedicated member, late Sgt. Habila Makbam (36 years) who was reportedly killed by gunmen when residence of former Minister of Sport, Hon. D. T. Sango was invaded at Danwal community of Aten Chiefdom, Riyom LGA on 31st day of March, 2021.
The funeral service held at Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Raku-Belleng was greeted by thousands of Christians including the former Minister among othe mourners from Nigeria’s Police Force who are saddened with the demise of the young man who died in active service as a personnel of Nigeria’s Police Force attached to the ex-Minister.
At the service, condolence messages and word of encouragement as well as many accolades were said by many individuals who were accorder opportunity to extend condolences. The Minister in his remark, said, “at about 9:15pm of 31/3/2021, I heard sporadic gunshots in my residence. I attempted to come out but was pleaded to stop for a while. On getting out, I saw Mr. Habila, his other colleague and my driver in pool of blood. Immediately, I directed them to be rushed to Vom Christian Hospital after which they were referred to Jos University Teaching Hospital-JUTH where Habila gave up his ghost, his colleague was treated and discharged yesterday while my driver is still on admission” expressed by the elder stateman who prayed God to expose the culprits. He also expressed shock that since his residence, as a VIP, could be attacked in Community that has never witnessed armed invasions, what about a common Nigerian who has no security aid attached to? This expression leaves commoners in delirium as to their safety in this part of the world.
During on-spot assessment by ECCVN’s team the following day after the incident, an anonymous source has it that, “I am suspecting Fulani herdsmen that perpetrated this killing, for on Sunday before the attack, the deceased warned some Fulani herdsmen from grazing close to the residence of Hon. D. T. Sango. Without respect for uniform man, they fingered Mr. Habila Makbam and lo and behold, it ended his life in this unfortunate way” he narrated.
In a sermon presented by Rev. Budadi Taki from 1 Kings 18:1-19, where he titled it “who is the troubler of Nigeria and Plateau State?” The church and Christian politicians are responsible for the ongoing security challenges bedeviling Nigeria, particularly Plateau State. This is because the Church and Christian politicians fail to speak out what is happening to the body of Christ just as Obadiah failed to confront King Ahab about killings of Prophets of God. Thus, utter silence in amidst of hostilities being perpetrated against Christians makes believers contributory elements in the current ordeals.
The cleric also admonished believers to know that Judges and Kings were raised by God to reflectively know that God is King and Judge over all. He pointed at the killings of members of the body of Christ as routine acts of inhumanity of man to man which is never new under the Sun. Christian leaders and political elites have paved way with their continued muteness while Fulani herdsmen are being armed to cause a lot of havoc yet, no one ever challenges such ignobility simply because of food, fame and fear of the forces in play.
The deceased was laid to rest at his family residence in Raku-Belleng leaving behind to mourn him include his wife, little boy, mother and other siblings who had looked up to him as their breadwinner.
Following the sad incident, ECCVN reiterates its clarion call on legislative arms of Government to initiate a bill for legalization of firearms to be acquired by private individuals exclusively for self-defense exercise. This would not only lessen the heavy burden Niger…
