‘Stop bullying our pastors’ – Christian Youths stage protest in Abuja, slam Sowore, others

Youths under the umbrella of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, voicing strong opposition to what they described as persistent and coordinated cyber attacks on Christian religious leaders across Nigeria.

The protesters, carrying placards with messages such as “Stop Online Bullying of Pastors” and “Respect Religious Freedom,” raised alarm over what they termed an escalating campaign of online defamation, hate speech, and character assassination targeting prominent Christian clerics.

Addressing the gathering, the convener of the forum, Adama James Paul, decried the trend of “dragging” pastors and Christian leaders on social media by content creators and activists. He described the attacks as a calculated attempt to discredit the Christian faith and those who represent it.

“We are deeply disturbed by the persistent campaign of defamation and slander being waged against our faith and its representatives,” Paul stated.
“These online bullies represent a dangerous form of discrimination that cannot be tolerated in a democracy that values religious freedom and diversity.”

Paul further alleged that the cyber attacks were not random but part of a “larger, well-funded campaign” aimed at sowing division and inciting religious tension in the country. He specifically accused activist Omoyele Sowore and his associates of fueling the trend.

“Our investigation has revealed that these attacks are part of a deliberate attempt to undermine our unity and sow seeds of discord among different faith denominations,” he claimed.

The CCYF called on the Nigerian government, media, and civil society to take decisive action against what they described as growing religious intolerance in the digital space. They also urged Nigerians of all religious backgrounds to resist any effort to polarize the nation along sectarian lines.

In a related statement, the group commended the Federal Government for the recent launch of the Forest Guard initiative, aimed at tackling insecurity in rural communities. They described the initiative as a proactive step towards national safety but emphasized the need for full operational support.

“The creation of this force is a step in the right direction,” the group noted.
“However, we stress the importance of equipping these guards with the necessary tools and resources to effectively confront armed criminals hiding in our bushes.”

The protest ended peacefully, with the youths reaffirming their commitment to upholding Christian values while standing against online harassment and religious discrimination.