Terrorists Exploiting Religion To Divide North, Says Christian Association

The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and FCT, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has warned that terrorist groups were deliberately exploiting religious sentiments to divide the North and destabilise the country.

Hayab told journalists at his residence in Kaduna that Nigerians should not allow insecurity and criminal violence to pit Christians against Muslims.

He said intelligence reports indicate a coordinated strategy by terrorist groups, allegedly with local or foreign backing, to provoke religious crisis by selectively attacking Christian communities in states such as Niger, Kwara and Kogi.

“The goal is to create fear, suspicion and retaliation among religious groups. Nigerians must resist this agenda because every life lost in this country is a tragedy to the nation, regardless of faith or ethnicity”.

The CAN chairman stressed that insecurity in Northern Nigeria remains a collective challenge that requires cooperation among religious leaders, community stakeholders and security agencies.

He also referenced Islamic teachings on the sanctity of human life, noting that several Muslim leaders have often reminded him that killing an innocent person is equivalent to killing all of humanity.

According to him, those who perpetrate violence in the name of religion only seek to destroy the moral foundation of society and tarnish the image of genuine faith.

“Anyone who commits violence and hides under religion must be exposed. Protecting the integrity of our faiths and our region is the responsibility of every Nigerian,” h said.

Rev. Hayab maintained that no individual or group has the right to force any community out of Northern Nigeria, insisting that peaceful coexistence among all residents remains non-negotiable.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Comrade Abdulgafar Alabelwe, commended the CAN leadership for promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence, noting that the media has a responsibility to promote messages that unite rather than divide the society.