The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, has called on the Nigerian government to take decisive action against terrorism, stating that this was the core message behind the recent order by US President Donald Trump concerning insecurity in Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, Hayab clarified that the international concern should not be misconstrued as a threat to attack Nigeria, but rather a call to eliminate terrorists operating within the country.
“I think we are twisting this thing. There is no threat to attack Nigeria. The threat is to come to Nigeria and get rid of the terrorists, not to attack Nigeria. Unless we want to just use this to inflame a misconception.
“Nobody in his right senses should deny that there are killings of Christians in Northern Nigeria. Nobody in his right senses should deny that there is persecution and maltreatment of Christians in Northern Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the situation has escalated to the point of attracting international legislative action, such as the bill by US Senator Ted Cruz, and now, commentary from a US President.
“I think what the American president has just done is to say, ‘look, I am following this conversation and I understand that these killings are real, and I am saying that take action to stop this.
“If there is anything we need to do as a country is to take action to show that, ‘look, we don’t even need any American to come. We on our own can get rid of it’. And that’s the responsibility of government,” he said.
Hayab lamented the polarised nature of public discourse in Nigeria, which often encourages solidarity across religious lines.
“If you are a Christian and you speak favourably for Muslims, they will say, ‘oh, they have bought you’. If it is against Christians and you are a Muslim and speak, they will say ‘they have bought you’. And that’s why we are in this place,” Hayab stated.
He proposed the establishment of a Commission for Religious Freedom to advocate for and investigate violations of religious rights.
“When people start knowing that they cannot abuse other people on the basis of religion and go scot-free, then people will stop doing it and Nigeria will change,” he said.
When asked if a US military intervention would be wise, Hayab reiterated that the solution lies with the Nigerian state.
“That is why I am explaining that this matter and this comment by the US President is a matter that the government of Nigeria can just take certain action and change the narrative,” he said.
He warned of the dangers of inaction, noting that continued failure to protect citizens could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“I don’t see that ever happening from the Christians. But Christians need the protection of government, the protection of the state to show that they are citizens who have a right and their rights should be respected,” he said.
He expressed his belief that the US would not need to deploy its military if Nigeria heeded the wake-up call. “There is just a way of saying, wake up, do the needful, and let every citizen feel at home.”
