The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has strongly condemned the Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau State, which claimed over a hundred lives and devastated communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas.
In a statement issued by its president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN denounced the violence and called for immediate action to prevent such tragedies from repeating.
Okoh, the president of CAN, expressed dismay over the assault on the affected communities, stressing the dire need for collective condemnation of such violent acts.
In a statement, Archbishop Okoh said, He said: “We condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. The burning down of houses, and worship centres, 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.”
He stressed that such heinous acts have no place in society and must not be tolerated, reiterating CAN’s solidarity with the grieving victims and their families.
“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 you 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,” CAN added.
While commending the prompt intervention of the Military and the joint police and military task force in restoring peace, Archbishop Okoh urged security agencies to implement proactive strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He said: “We commend 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. We recognize the efforts of State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in calling for peace and unity amid such adversity.”
Additionally, CAN, extending its support to impacted villages, called for unity and peace among the indigenous people of Plateau State. The association urged Nigerians to support the affected communities, emphasizing the importance of embracing peace and unity for a prosperous nation.
“In this season of love and giving, let us remember the victims and their families not only in our prayers but also by reaching out to them 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,” he said.
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