Insecurity: CAN directs churches in Kaduna State suspend Christmas eve

By allcitynews.ng/sahareporters.com

Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State has directed Kaduna churches to suspend Christmas eve programmes over insecurity Security.

However, CAN noted that churches that feel they can afford to congregate for Christmas Eve services should do so under security measures. Even at that, all services must end before 6:00 pm.”

CAN said it took the decision because the government of Nigeria and its security agents have failed the Christian community.

The umbrella body gave the directive amidst escalating terror killings and kidnappings by bandits in the state, saying pre-Christmas services, usually held during nightfall to herald the birth of Jesus Christ should not hold this year.

The Kaduna State chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayap, told SaharaReporters that “leaders of the Christian body were perturbed by the spike in violent crimes being perpetrated against Christians in the North”.

He added, “Yes, we have written to churches to suspend this year’s Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve events because of security concerns.

“We took this decision because the government of Nigeria and its security agents have failed the Christian community.

“All they do is to make press statements expressing sadness anytime our people are killed; we’re tired of that.

Meanwhile, a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says the deteriorating security situation has resulted in a humanitarian emergency, with more than 8.7 million people requiring urgent assistance in northern Nigeria.

It further says, “Since 2011, inter-communal violence, rooted in competition over scarce resources, has escalated in central and north-west Nigeria. 

“Violence between herding and farming communities has become increasingly deadly as a result of the proliferation of armed groups and gangs who engage in organized cattle-rustling, kidnapping, plunder, murder and rape. 

“The emergence and expansion of armed banditry in the north-west resulted in at least 4,900 people killed between 2018-2020 and has displaced hundreds of thousands.

“Kidnappings by armed extremist groups and bandits have become endemic in northern Nigeria, with more than 950 children kidnapped since December 2020. More than 200 students remain missing.”