By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR
CALABAR — The Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, in Cross River State, Apostle Trinity Ogar, has urged residents to stop attributing recent flood, landslide and fire incidents in the state to spiritual causes.
Ogar, who is also the Acting Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the state, said the disasters should instead be viewed within the context of natural and environmental factors and existing early warning systems.
He spoke while responding to questions from journalists on the series of disasters recorded across the state in recent weeks.
His comments followed speculation among some residents linking the incidents to the alleged displeasure of an Efik marine deity, “Anansa,” said to be associated with traditional worshippers in the area.
The incidents include a fire outbreak at Spar Shopping Mall in Calabar, a landslide on Anansa Road which destroyed property, and another landslide at Ikot Awatim, which reportedly claimed four lives.
Several other deaths have also been reported in connection with flooding in parts of the state.
Some residents had called on the state government to engage the Efik traditional institution and the Obutung community, said to be associated with the deity’s shrine, to explore traditional measures to address what they believed was the cause of the disasters.
However, Ogar dismissed the attribution of the disasters to spiritual causes, saying government agencies had issued early warnings ahead of some of the incidents.
He expressed concern that residents often resorted to spiritual explanations for natural disasters instead of paying attention to scientific and environmental warnings.
According to him, greater attention should be paid to early warning systems and other preventive measures capable of reducing the impact of disasters on communities.
The PFN chairman also said sustained prayers had been offered across Calabar and other parts of Cross River State in response to the disasters.
He urged residents to take official warnings seriously and support measures aimed at preventing further loss of lives and property.
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