The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, has urged government to endeavour to listen to religious and traditional leaders in their bid to end insecurity.
Chairman of the State chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who stated this, noted that the problem with Nigeria’s security is the lack of a sincere collaborative effort in solving it.
He explained that there is the need for those in leadership positions to listen to everyone ready to suggest a way out, not only the professionals, stressing that traditional leaders, religious leaders, association leaders and even the common people, youths, women and children all have a stake in the matter.
Speaking in Kaduna on Tuesday in a day peace and security summit, theme, “Nigeria’s insecurity: The Church’s response in the 21st Century”, organized by CAN in the state, Rev. Hayab said that it is against the background that the church in the state thought it wise to bring together pastors and church leaders together to deliberate and come out with practicable strategies within Christian teaching and biblical provisions meant to complement the government’s efforts in the great task of handling the challenge of insecurity.
He said “I stand before you with every sense of thanks and encouragement for the incredible response to our call for this all-important summit. The reaction shows to the world our collective dissatisfaction about the insecurity challenges that we face and our common will to support all positive efforts firmly intended at bringing this ugly challenge to a permanent end.”
He noted that security challenges in Nigeria and Kaduna State, in particular, is not a new thing but a monster that people have been struggling very hard for decades to deal with, pointing out that every government has had its fair share of the experience.
Rev. Hayab said government’s report as published stated that 937 people were killed by bandit and 1,972 kidnapped within the period, saying that the first quarter 2021 security report published by government reported by premium time, on the 30th of April 2021 indicates that 323 people were killed, and 949 people have been kidnapped.
According to him, the second quarter report that people are waiting for, because the government may have a higher figure than what they already have.
