CAN to Tinubu: Don’t spare terrorists hiding behind religion

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Daniel Okoh, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take serious action against terrorists who hide under religion and ethnicity to perpetrate violence.

Okoh, who was represented in Gombe by CAN Vice President, Rev. Stephen Pantami, made this statement on Thursday shortly after visiting the victims of the Easter Monday crash.

No fewer than six people died when a truck driver rammed into a Christian procession, and injuring 21 people in Billiri town.

The CAN President visited the Specialist Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe Local Government Area, presenting donations to the hospitalised victims.

He also visited Billiri Local Government Area, where four of the six bereaved families received similar cash gifts.

Okoh said, “As the body of Christ, for the umpteenth time, we call on the government to carry out a thorough investigation to uncover those behind the killings of innocent Nigerians under whatever guise.

“Acts of terrorism must be stamped out of Nigeria for peace to reign. Those in authority must demonstrate a firm commitment to confronting those killing Nigerians under any pretext.”

He continued, “Some people are hiding under the guise of religion or ethnicity to commit atrocities that are purely criminal in nature. Honestly speaking, the President must instruct the security agencies to take the bull by the horns and deal with these perpetrators as criminals—nothing more.”

Decrying the impact of insecurity in the country, Okoh added, “The problem arises when we give in to sentiments and assume these people are acting on our behalf. Eventually, we become victims of this evil, as they will soon come for us too.

“Their actions are inexcusable, as they are purely criminal and should be treated as such, without ethnic or religious sentiment.’

At Awai in Billiri LGA, during a condolence visit to the home of the late Grace David, Okoh consoled her mother, a widow, saying, “We are saddened by what has happened. However, we take solace in the fact that our daughter died not in sin but in the worship of God. We are praying for you; God is particularly touched by your situation.”

Also in Kalmai, while sympathising with the Lass family, Okoh urged them to focus on God, emphasising that He would not forsake them.

The Lass family lost 19-year-old Faidah Fibilus, their only child.

The delegation later proceeded to Golkos One and the Tangji communities of Billiri to commiserate with two other bereaved families.