The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Hayab, has cautioned against celebrating recent security gains, saying the continued abduction of citizens shows that Nigeria is yet to attain real peace.
Hayab stated this on Saturday at his official residence in Kaduna, shortly after receiving an Award of Excellence from the Northern Christian Youth Professionals.
According to him, any recognition or award given to any Nigerian or government official should serve as a reminder to intensify efforts to end kidnapping and insecurity, rather than a basis for celebration.
“There is nothing to dance about while innocent citizens are still in captivity and criminal elements continue to operate freely from the bush,” he said.
The cleric urged Nigerians to pray that such awards would translate into the release of abducted persons and encourage criminal elements to surrender.
While acknowledging that some areas have recorded relative peace, Hayab warned that recent security challenges indicate that the gains remain fragile.
He stressed that the government must understand that partial success is not enough, noting that renewed attacks should serve as a wake-up call to translate security claims into lasting reality.
“We have started showing that these challenges can be overcome. What we are seeing now is a test of our commitment. We must prove to the world that we are serious about peace,” he said.
Hayab further assured that Christian communities would not compromise their commitment to peace, even in the face of threats and intimidation.
Speaking on safety concerns amid rising insecurity, the Northern CAN chairman urged believers to combine faith with wisdom, stressing that spiritual confidence must not replace personal responsibility.
He noted that insecurity is a global challenge, adding that no society is completely immune, including developed countries.
“Wisdom is profitable to direct. We must apply wisdom to protect ourselves, our families and our communities,” he said.
He cautioned against what he described as blind faith, insisting that acting carelessly in the name of divine protection amounts to irresponsibility.
“God protects us, but that does not mean we should act foolishly. Wisdom requires that we take practical steps to secure our lives and expose evil,” he added.
On the initial denial of some security incidents by authorities, Hayab described such actions as unfortunate, stressing that public trust must be preserved at all costs.
He said misinformation or denial only weakens confidence in government institutions, noting, however, that CAN had chosen to forgive those responsible and move forward.
“We must keep winning the trust of the people. Anything that undermines that trust should never happen again,” he said.
The PUNCH
