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BRING BACK OUR GIRLS: Pastor Andrew Adeleke joined with church demonstrators

PASTOR ANDREW Adeleke, the senior pastor of the over 1000-strong congregation at the Redeemed Christian Church of God House of Praise in Camberwell, South East London, affirmed his clear support for the #BringBackOurGirls international campaign at an open rally held after their Sunday church service.

Pastor Adeleke, who converted from Islam, said: “It is time for the Church to let its prophetic voice be heard loud and clear on the appalling matter of what has happened to these girls. Likewise, we call on Boko Haram to let these girls go home to their families.”

The April 15 abduction of over 200 Nigerian schoolgirls has generated outrage around the globe and calls for Nigeria to liberate the girls before they can be sold into slavery or harmed. Nigeria's police have said more than 300 girls were abducted from their secondary school in the country's remote northeast. Of that number, 276 remained in captivity and 53 managed to escape.

Abubakar Shekau, leader of militant group Boko Haram, threatened to sell the girls during a grainy video released earlier this month.

Like many churches throughout the UK, Pastor Andrew has been keeping the profile of this campaign high and leading his congregation in prayers at the House of Praise in asking for God’s intervention for the release of over 200 girls held captive by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria.

Fellow House of Praise member Dr Mike Uyi, who is a long standing peace campaigner in Nigeria stated, “The Act of terrorism is an act against humanity. What is needed now is the total co-operation of all the security agencies in Nigeria including the multinational forces to rescue our girls.

“As a Christian body who value the sacrosanctity of human life, we call upon all sides to put aside politics and differences, and instead work together for the release of these girls.

“This is the time to learn that as humans, we are held together by a single garment of brotherhood. What affects one directly affects the other. We therefore call upon other church leaders to also speak up and let their voices be heard on this matter as well.

“We need to see an end of terrible Boko Haram insurgency that has left families dislocated, more widows created, school children traumatized and our daughters being turned into sex slaves. This cannot be allowed to continue.”