CALABAR — The Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Cross River State, Apostle Trinity Ogar, has urged residents to stop attributing recent disasters in the state to spiritual forces.
Ogar, who also serves as the Acting Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, said the recent incidents of flooding, landslides and fire should be considered within the context of natural and environmental factors.
He made the call while speaking with journalists against the backdrop of growing speculation among some residents that the disasters were linked to the alleged displeasure of an Efik marine deity known as “Anansa.”
Recent incidents across the state include the fire outbreak at Spar Shopping Mall in Calabar, a landslide along Anansa Road that destroyed property, and another landslide at Ikot Awatim, which reportedly claimed four lives.
Several other deaths have also been recorded in flooding incidents in different parts of Cross River.
While some residents have called for engagement with the Efik traditional institution and the Obutung community, which is associated with the deity’s shrine, Ogar dismissed the spiritual explanation for the disasters.
According to him, relevant government agencies had issued early warning signals ahead of some of the incidents, but residents failed to pay adequate attention to the warnings.
The PFN chairman expressed concern over what he described as the tendency of residents to “spiritualise” natural disasters and other negative occurrences instead of responding to scientific and environmental warnings.
He therefore urged residents to take official alerts seriously and support preventive measures aimed at reducing the loss of lives and property during disasters.
Ogar also said sustained prayers had been offered across Calabar and other parts of Cross River State in response to the series of disasters.
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