The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on Christians in the northern region to take proactive measures to safeguard themselves amid ongoing attacks.
The appeal follows the deadly Palm Sunday assault on the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attack, which occurred around 8 p.m., claimed the lives of more than 20 people and left several others injured.
READ MORE: Plateau Attack: Benue Govt Evacuates UNIJOS Students
In response, the Defence Headquarters placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, assuring Nigerians of strengthened security. Speaking during the end-of-the-month briefing in Abuja on
Tuesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, reiterated the military’s heightened vigilance during the festive period.
The Chairman of CAN in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Joseph Hayab, said the Christian community would not succumb to fear despite the persistent violence.
“These attackers are not spirits; they are human beings. They may seem to have the upper hand now, but when our people begin to organise effectively, a time will come when the hunted will become the hunter,” he said.
Hayab stressed the need for collective action, warning that failure to resist could prolong the crisis. “Unless we organize ourselves to confront those terrorizing us, they could continue to torment us for generations. If we claim not to be afraid, have we truly taken steps to defend ourselves?” he asked.
He lamented that attacks often intensify during major Christian celebrations. “Since 2009, we have been repeatedly targeted during Easter and Christmas, depriving us of the joy of these occasions. These threats are meant to instill fear, but should we then retreat into hiding? No. Church leaders must tell their members that enough is enough,” he added.
When asked whether CAN would advise members to bear arms, Hayab declined to disclose specific strategies. “Revealing everything we know would only aid those working against the church. What we are saying is clear: we will not allow these killings to intimidate us or stop us from celebrating Easter as we should,” he stated.
He further expressed frustration over the continued violence and what he described as the government’s inability to curb it. “We are angered by the killings and by the failure of security agencies to end them. However, Christians must not be discouraged. This conflict is largely psychological once we give in and abandon our spiritual responsibilities, the attackers have achieved their aim,” he said.
Hayab explained that places of worship are often targeted to discourage religious gatherings.
“They attack churches to make us stop worshipping. As leaders, if we fail to encourage our people to remain steadfast, we are yielding to intimidation,” he warned.
Despite the escalating violence, particularly during the Easter period, Hayab maintained that the resolve of the Christian community remains unshaken. He added that the situation is becoming increasingly worrisome, with many Nigerians beginning to lose confidence in official assurances, describing it as a critical test for the government
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