By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has charged Nigerian leaders to utilize the Christmas season as a turning point for national renewal and justice, warning that the nation cannot continue to suffer under the weight of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
The association challenged the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric and conduct a transparent investigation into the sponsors and financiers of terror, insisting that lasting peace will remain elusive until those backing violent crimes are exposed and prosecuted.
In a Christmas message signed by its Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, Northern CAN emphasized that Christmas offers an opportunity for sober reflection on the nation’s moral conscience.
The religious body noted that a just and secure society is built on moral courage and collective responsibility, calling for a shift toward compassion and respect for the sanctity of human life.
On the issue of security, the association acknowledged the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and security agencies in defending lives and property but urged them to remain resolute.
They lamented that the persistence of violent crimes has caused immense pain to families and communities, leaving scars that may never fully heal.
However, the group welcomed the Federal Government’s recent designation of kidnappers and bandits as terrorists, describing the move as a necessary step in strengthening the national security framework.
The Northern CAN also commended the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for granting clemency to Sunday Jackson, a Christian farmer who had been sentenced to death following a violent attack on his farm.
The association described the governor’s intervention as a restoration of public confidence in the rule of law, arguing that the earlier conviction was a miscarriage of justice.
They affirmed that self-defense in the face of mortal danger should not be criminalized while terrorists walk freely.
The association also recognized the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians and praised faith-based organizations and community leaders who distributed palliatives to the vulnerable during the festive period.
The group concluded by calling on leaders at all levels to uphold equity and justice, while urging citizens to remain law-abiding and committed to a united Nigeria.