Metro CAN deplores abduction of 43 Kaduna Christian worshippers, faults government’s handling of insecurity.
21 September 2022 | 2:42 am
Newly elected president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Daniel Okoh
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), yesterday, condemned the abduction of
43 worshippers at Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Kurmin Juwa community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, calling to question the
effectiveness of the numerous military clampdowns on bandits in recent times.
State CAN Chairman, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, said: “The victory
songs should be lowered down until the fight and battle are completely won.
“We do not need to sing songs of victory because these criminals are on the
move, and are still having their way.”
Hayab, who is also Vice President of CAN in the North, told journalists that
“security agents should go after the criminals until these worshippers are
rescued and returned to their homes.”
He said the kidnapping of the faithful, who had gone for a vigil on Wednesday,
was shocking to the Christian body, noting: “At a time we are thinking that
progress is being made, we are back to this sad story.”
The CAN leader continued: “On that fateful Wednesday night, these bandits
took away 57 people. Some escaped on the way. As I speak to you now, 43 of
them are still with the bandits, and they are demanding a huge sum of N200
million.
“That is to tell you that on the side of us and security, we are also to be
careful. Let us not jump and be making statements and celebrating victory
too early.
“Let us continue doing the best we can in carrying out this war until victory is assured because the enemies of the people and state are still strategising to
cause more pain.
“As a church, we pledge to continue to give the support we know how to give in telling what we know to assist the security agencies in addressing this matter.
“But I think we should be more discretional in the handling of this matter.”
Hayab urged government and security agencies to redouble efforts in
stemming the tide of insecurity nationwide.
