The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has warned against attempts by terrorists to fuel religious division in the region, stressing that Nigerians must not allow violence to pitch Christians and Muslims against one another.

Rev. Hayab stated this during a get-together with newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday, 10 January 2026. He noted that growing security intelligence suggests a deliberate ploy by terrorist groups—allegedly sponsored locally or internationally—to destabilise northern Nigeria by targeting Christians in states such as Niger, Kwara, and Kogi, with the aim of escalating religious tension.

According to him, such attacks are designed to steer the problem into a religious conflict, but Nigerians must collectively resist that agenda.

“We must warn our people that we will not be divided by these actions. Instead, we must remind our security agencies and government to step up and defeat this common enemy,” he stressed.

The CAN chairman further emphasised that the loss of any life in Nigeria is a national tragedy, regardless of faith or ethnicity. To him, if one life is lost in Nigeria, it is a Nigerian life that is lost, adding that violence against any group diminishes the country’s shared humanity.

Rev. Hayab referenced Islamic teachings to reinforce his message of unity, noting that Muslim leaders have often reminded him that the Qur’an teaches that killing one person is akin to killing all of humanity.

“These are religious teachings we must return to, whether we fully understand them or not. If this teaching is taken seriously, then Muslims themselves must rise and take ownership of this issue,” he said.

He called on Nigerians of all faiths to expose anyone who commits violence in the name of religion, stressing that doing so would protect the integrity of both faith and region.

“Whoever kills a fellow Nigerian under whatever name or excuse must be exposed. That is how we give our faith a good name and stop enemies of progress from tarnishing us, either as believers or as a region,” he stated.

Rev. Hayab further emphasised that no group has the right to force others out of northern Nigeria, insisting that coexistence is non-negotiable.

“Nobody is going to chase anybody out of this region. Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with me or not, we will remain here together,” he said.

He, however, urged residents of the region to embrace unity and make the best of their shared destiny, noting that peaceful coexistence is both a moral and practical necessity for development.

“We are here together because God has placed us here. Let us take advantage of that,” he said. (The Sun)

•Terrorists

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