By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The immediate past chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Kaduna state chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab has lamented the incessant abductions of people in Kaduna state by bandits.
Rev. Hayab who expressed his displeasure over the perceived weakness of the government, which he said the bandits and terrorists are taking advantage of, also said negotiation should not be an option.
He was speaking in an interview with journalists during a thanksgiving service held at the Amazing Grace Baptist Church, Gonin Gora Kaduna in his Honour for his meritorious service as State CAN Secretary and Chairman, Kaduna state.
It could be recalled that the renewed attacks in some parts of Kaduna communities recently have led to the abduction of over 370 people who are still in the hands of Kidnappers, including the 278 school pupils of Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area.
Reacting specifically to the abduction of school pupils in Kuriga, the cleric said that he is very sad because he pastored a local church in the community thirty years ago, stressing that the rural dwellers are just peasant farmers with majority of their husbands heavy truck drivers who are invariably affected by bad governance too.
Speaking on the position of whether the government should negotiate with the terrorists or not, Hayab said, “What are they even negotiating? That we steal their cows or we did what to them? See, if they have grudges they have not written anybody and why are they hurting innocent children?
“The parents of those kidnapped children are also angry, hungry and sick. So why are you venting your anger on innocent people? And so what are you negotiating with those people? These people are just criminals who want to steal money by all means and who are by default hiding under cover, so what do you negotiate with them?
“Sheikh Abubakar Gumi told us that he is going to preach to them. If there is a need for us to mobilise people that will go and preach to them we will do that, but not to negotiate with them. Did we steal anything from them, we do not even know why they are angry. They are taking advantage of the weakness of our government and they are tormenting us and I hold the government responsible for what is happening to Nigerians,” he stressed.
Also adding his voice, the former General Secretary, Evangelical Church Winning All, (ECWA) Worldwide Rev. Dr. Nmadu Yunusa said, hardship and insecurity in the land are twin brothers and they are those issues in the country that are biting hard at the moment.
Rev Nmadu reiterated that whether the government should negotiate with bandits or not, is a different thing altogether, adding that the government is capable of curbing the hardship that Nigerians are going through, even as he equally posited that hunger breeds insecurity and the breakdown of law and order in every society.
“In fact, now that this insecurity has lasted this long, the government should ask itself because they are duty bearers and it’s their responsibility to protect the citizens of this country.
“So in my own opinion, any government that has failed to protect its citizens has failed as a government, and for the fact that people are very hungry today is not a good testament to good governance. So what is good governance all about when people are just falling on the street like apples because of hunger, and hunger will breed more insecurity.
“So I want to charge this government to put their heads together to curb the issue of hunger and insecurity in the country and perhaps we can have some relief in terms of insecurity.”In the same vein, the Senator representing Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who was among dignitaries that attended the Thanksgiving, described Rev. Hayab as a man of integrity.
“He is a man of integrity, a man who is fearless in fighting for his people when he believes in a course. He does not shy away from putting it the way it is. He has patience, integrity, humility and also foresight on issues that concern the people of Southern Kaduna in particular, the people of Kaduna state and Nigeria in general,” Senator Katung said.
Other dignitaries present at the event include the former and current president of the Baptist theological seminary, Kaduna Rev. Prof Reuben Ishaya and Rev. Prof. Moses Audi, Chairman, Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. Leke Ogundayo, Conference president, FCT Rev. Dr. Raphael Gwana, convention president, Rev. Dr. Ishaya Akanji, Former Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN) Apostle Emma Ego Bako, Apostle Emmanuel Kure of Throne room ministry Kafanchan, former Commissioners amongst others, all have positive testimonies about Rev. Hayab as a good man who.has.done well as the State CAN Chairman.