Apparently disturbed by the appropriateness of carrying a gun in church, Nigerian netizens have shared their divergent views on a photo of a clergyman dressed in a purple-and-white cassock with an AK-47 rifle in hand.
The clergyman who was said to be a Reverend Father in Anambra state was described as ready-for-war against Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsman by one Achike Onwuazo, who posted the photo on his Facebook account on the 27th of January, 2016.
“Carry go, my blessed Rev. Father. He who is surrounded by his enemies (Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram) is always alert.That’s the latest way forward.” Onwuazo added.
Reacting to Onwuazo’s post, another Facebook user, Ayalogu Emmanuel writes “Please, how can I get my own AK-47 rifle? The National Assembly should be thinking of passing a bill to legalise the use of machine guns,” he said.
Another commenter on the trending photo, Meg Barn, said it would be a good idea to not only arm church priests but also the parishioners.
“Watch and pray; they (religious leaders) should arm their parishioners too. There is no church without the laity,” she said.
Commending the priest in the picture, a Facebook user, Achukwu Achike, also said, “Very good; God help those who help themselves.”
Igwe Murphy Okwudili, stated, “That will deter them (herdsmen) from constantly invading people’s lands and property.”
But another user of the social media platform, Halliday Charles, said, “God doesn’t help those who help or can help themselves. God helps the helpless; God defends the defenceless. The strength of God is made perfect in our weakness.”