The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in northern Nigeria has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and state governors to strengthen the country’s security architecture throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Chairman of the association, Yakubu Pam, said the rising insecurity in the country was casting a shadow on the celebration of Christmas in many Nigerian communities.
In a statement yesterday, he noted that quite a number of Christians were considering staying back in their places of residence out of fear for their safety, as the highways, rural communities and even places of worship have all become targets of violent attacks.
He said safeguarding the lives and properties of all Nigerians remain fundamental to national unity and social stability, saying, “Persistent and deeply troubling security challenges confronting the nation in recent times, particularly the escalating activities of bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups across many parts of Northern Nigeria.
“Christmas represents the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and it is traditionally marked by family reunions, communal worship, and acts of love and generosity, noting that the increasing insecurity threatens the festivities.
“This unfortunate reality is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy where freedom of movement, worship, and association must be protected at all times.
“We, therefore, urge the Federal Government and governments in the 19 Northern states to demonstrate renewed commitment to their constitutional obligations by strengthening security architecture, enhancing intelligence driven operations and deploying adequate security personnel to vulnerable areas, major highways, worship centres and public gathering points throughout the Yuletide.”
Pam urged Christians to remain cautious and vigilant, stressing that darkness of insecurity would not prevail indefinitely.
Credit: The Sun