- CAN issued this plea on Tuesday, vehemently condemning the Christmas Eve attacks
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Nigerian government and its security agencies to heighten their intelligence gathering and adopt proactive measures to prevent terrorist attacks and killings similar to the recent tragic incidents in Plateau State.
CAN issued this plea on Tuesday, vehemently condemning the Christmas Eve attacks on 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
These attacks resulted in over 100 fatalities and the destruction of numerous homes.
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, emphasized in a statement released to the press on Tuesday that the assault on these communities poses a grave threat to the nation’s unity and cherished values.
Okoh said, “We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, and worship centres, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira is not only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect.
“Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.”
The Archbishop further stated that “We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones in the villages of Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV, and Lisham Kwahasnat community in Wase LGA.
“We stand with you at this time of grief, and our prayers go out to you for comfort and strength. The loss of lives, including those of our brethren in the Baptist Church in Chirang village, is a devastating blow to our collective peace and unity.”
Commending the speedy efforts of a joint police and military task force to bring some sense of normalcy, Okoh appealed to security intelligence to fashion out proactive measures to prevent future occurrences of such events.
He said, “We commend the swift intervention of the Military and the deployment of a joint police and military task force to restore peace and prevent further lawlessness in the affected communities. We recognise the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.
“However, while appreciating these immediate responses, we urge the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future. Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures.”
The CAN implored for peace and unity among the indigenes of the state as they support the affected communities with relief materials
According to Okoh, “We believe in the unity and strength of our nation. We acknowledge the resilience of the people of Plateau State and the nation at large. We must reinforce this unity and resilience in the face of such adversity. Let us shun all forms of violence and embrace the peace and unity that our nation so desperately needs.
“In this season of love and giving, let us remember the victims and their families not only in our prayers but also by reaching out to them with relief materials. Let us extend our empathy and support, and commit to building a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.”
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