The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, has observed with concern that despite the victory songs by security agencies in recent times, attacks by terrorists in communities have continued, condemning the recent kidnap of 43 worshippers at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in a Kaduna community.
Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, the state chairman of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, lamented that the victory songs should be lowered until the fight and the battle are completely won, stressing that Nigerians do not need to sing songs of victory because the criminals are on the move and are still having their way.
Hayab, who is also the Vice President of CAN in 19 Northern states and Abuja, advised security agents to go after the criminals until the worshippers are rescued and safely returned to their homes.
He appealed to people in the church that it’s not enough for them to think that all is well now and go into their church without taking measures to ensure the security of their lives during services.
He lamented, “The kidnap of worshippers who went to participate at the All Night Worship of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Kurmin Juwa of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Kurmin Juwa is a community just behind the market at Kasuwan Magani, came to us as, I won’t say shock but disappointing. At a time we are thinking that progress is being made, we are back to this sad story.”
Rev. Hayab noted that on that fateful night, it was a Wednesday, the bandits took away 57 people; some escaped on the road, saying that presently, 43 are still with the bandits, and they are demanding a huge sum of 200 million.
According to Rev. Hayab, it is too early for both Nigerians and the security to jump and make statements but have to be careful, suggesting that Nigerians should continue doing the best they can do in carrying out the war until victory is assured because the enemies of the people and the enemies of the state are still strategizing to cause pains.
As a church, he said that they pledged to continue to give the support they know how to give in telling what they know so that it would help the security agencies in addressing the matter, advising that Nigerians should use more discretion in handling the matter, especially with the way things are at the moment.
He reiterated that the victory songs should be lowered until the fight and the battle are completely won, pointing out that Nigerians do not need to sing songs of victory because these criminals are on the move and are still having their way, as 57 people or 43 people are not just three people but a whole community.
He explained that the church feels sad about it and condemned it totally while appealing and calling on the government to urgently do something and ensure that things like these do not continue to happen, saying that the more things like this happen, it creates fear in the mind, confusion and makes people continue to doubt any other story they are going to work.
He urged Christians to be watchful, saying if 100 members in the church, 30 others may stand guard on the premises.
