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Insecurity swelling number of widows, says Chaplin

The Protestant Chaplain of the Police Staff College Jos, Rev. Fidelis Audu Gambo (JP), says that the Chaplaincy is faced with the challenge of increasing number of widows due to activities of Boko  Haram, bandits, IPOB, in this interview with MUSA PAM

 

What has been your major challenge in the Chaplaincy?

 

The major challenges I faced as a Chaplain in the Police Force is the rate at which we keep losing our men to bandits, killer herdmen, kidnappers, Boko Haram, IPOB and so many evil sets tagged unknown gun men which resulted in the increase in the number of widows and orphans across all Police churches in Nigeria.

 

Secondly, the rate at which barracks are under attack day in day out leaving our personnel, their families residing there and our churches in fear of uncertainty, poor welfare, salaries and accommodation of our men in the warfront which resulted to hunger and starvation among family members worshipping in our churches.

 

Again, the poor pension and welfare of our retired police personnel compared to other sister agencies is an issue. You will weep for the police retirees when you get to know what they collect monthly compared to other agencies.

 

But we thank God, I heard that the Federal Government has approved a 20 per cent increase in salaries of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force which they say it will take effect from January 2022 and we prayed it will happen because that will improve the relationship between the force and the Nigerian populace. As a clergy, what is your advice to security agencies in the country?

 

Now that the security architectures in Nigeria seem to be failing, I advise our security personnel to work their ways right with God and set their families in order in case of death which is inevitable. They should also depend on God who gives ultimate security.

Our security personnel should imbibe the spirit of professionalism. I suggest an urgent Monthly Joint Prayer Force (MJPF) among our security personnel regardless of their areas of discipline and operation just like JTF operates.

 

The Bible says “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Tell us briefly about the Protestants and the new project in the Police Staff College? Police Staff College, Jos is once the only police institution where Senior Police Officers across the country come on course.

 

The Protestant Church in the college exist to give spiritual nourishment to all officers who would come to the college on course. The church started in 1991 and gave birth to eight churches across Police Barracks in Plateau State.

 

Over 30 years, the Church has been spreading the gospel among men and women of the Police Force and its sister agencies and spiritually grooming Senior Police Officers who come to the College on course, especially Christians Senior Police officers selected from Police formations and Commands across the country. Many of these officers have grown to the zenith of Police career, holding key and sensitive positions in the Nigeria Police Force.

 

What is the secret behind the success of the church project you recently completed and was commissioned?

 

The secret behind the success of the project is God. After the demolition of the old auditorium that was about collapsing, the Church laid the foundation of the new church building in 2013 by faith in God.

 

The God the church places its faith on, raised help from places and personalities the church least expected for the project. Some personalities to be appreciated are the Force Chaplain Protestant, CSP (Ven) Joshua Omoyele, former pastors, elders, members of the protestant church, former Commandants and the Ag Commandant of Police Staff College Jos, CP Austine Arop psc (+), Cadet ASP Course 27/2, all junior and senior Police officers who served or attended courses in Police Staff College Jos.

 

Our appreciation goes to The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev Dr. Yakubu Pam, General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali for coming around to Grace the occasion

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