CAN condemns Christmas eve attacks on Plateau communities

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the violent attacks on Plateau communities on Christmas Eve which left scores dead and many houses set ablaze.

CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, described the ugly incident as a direct assault on our shared values of peace, and unity.

Okoh who urged citizens to shun all forms of violence, called on the security agencies to intensify their efforts in intelligence gathering and proactive interventions to pre-empt and forestall these types of dastardly acts in the future.

He said, “Violence has no place in our society; it’s a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect and must not be allowed to prevail. The burning down of houses, worship centres, and the destruction of properties is not only a criminal act but also undermines our collective peace and unity.”

He said, “On behalf of the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I express heartfelt condolences over the recent horrifying incidents that have occurred in Plateau State on Christmas Eve.

“We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones in the villages of Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV, and Lisham Kwahasnat community in Wase LGA. We stand with you at this time of grief, and our prayers go out to y for comfort and strength. The loss of lives, including those of our brethren in the Baptist Church in Chirang village, is a devastating blow to our collective peace and unity.

“We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, worship centers, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira is not only a criminal act but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect. Such acts have no place in our society and must not be allowed to prevail.”

The CAN President commiserated with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones and commended the swift intervention of the military and the deployment of a joint police and military task force to restore peace and prevent further lawlessness in the affected communities.

Okoh also lauded the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.

“Our people deserve to live in peace, and it is high time we moved from reactive to preventive measures”. We acknowledge the resilience of the people of Plateau State and the nation at large. We must reinforce this unity and resilience in the face of such adversity,” he added .

Okoh urged Nigerians to remember the victims and their families, not only in prayers but also by reaching out with relief materials.

“Let us extend our empathy and support and commit to building a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole,” Okoh said.