The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday, said Christians in the northern part of the country must take proactive steps to defend themselves against persistent attacks.

The declaration followed the Palm Sunday attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident, which occurred around 8pm, left more than 20 people dead and several others injured.

Following the attack, the Defence Headquarters placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, assuring Nigerians of tightened security.

Addressing journalists during the end-of-the-month briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, assured citizens of heightened vigilance by troops during the Easter celebrations.

But speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the Chairman of CAN in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Joseph Hayab, said despite the wave of killings and persistent security challenges, the Christian community would not give in to fear.

“These killers are not spirits. These killers are human beings; they may have got some upper hand, but when our people really organise themselves, a time will come when you see that the person who is chasing you, you are chasing him back.

“Unless and until all of us start organising ourselves to chase those who have been chasing us, they will torment us for the next 200 years. If we are no longer afraid of our attackers, what have we done? Have we been able to defend ourselves? Must we say we are defending ourselves since we are not afraid of the attackers?

“Since 2009 till today, they have been tormenting us every time it is Easter and Christmas; they will deny us the joy of celebrating. They (terrorists) are telling us that they will attack us. What kind of a thing is that? So, should we stop everything and go into hiding? No, every church leader should tell his members that enough is enough of this rubbish,” Hayab said.

When asked if CAN would advise members to carry arms, Hayab said the group would not disclose all its strategies.

“If we start telling everything we know, we will just help the enemy of the church to triumph. But what we are simply saying is that we are not happy with the killings, but we will not allow the killers to intimidate us and stop us from celebrating Easter the way it should be celebrated.

“We are angry with the killings; we are angry with the inability of government and security services to stop the killings, but we are also calling on Christians not to be deterred because this whole war is psychological. By the time we give in and stop doing what we’re supposed to do spiritually, they have succeeded in what they want to do.

“Do you know why they are attacking places of worship? It is so that we will stop going to places of worship, and we’ll stop doing what we are doing. So, as leaders, if we don’t tell our people and encourage them to stand firm, we’re giving in to a cheap blackmailer.”

Hayab said the wave of killings and violence, particularly around the Easter period, was deeply troubling but would not break the resolve of the Christian community.

He lamented that the continued violence had become overwhelming, especially as believers prepare for Easter celebrations.

He noted that many Nigerians were beginning to lose faith in official assurances, describing the situation as a serious test for the government.

Security analysts differ on defence

A retired military officer, Brigadier General John Sura, advocated lawful self-defence and stronger community-based security measures as part of efforts to curb the attacks.

Sura, a former governorship aspirant in Plateau State, said citizens should be encouraged to take minimal steps within the law to protect themselves rather than remain vulnerable during attacks.

He said, “Self-defence allows you to carry a Dane gun, and then you have a licence to carry that. If you go to the police, they can give you that. You can also carry very sharp objects that you keep to defend yourself in case of any attacks.

“I have followed the discussions of the DG, SSS. In the confines of the law, you are allowed to carry something to defend yourself. Like the incident that happened in Plateau, those terrorists were pulling people into their houses and slaughtering them because they had nothing to defend themselves.

“The last kick of a horse does not stop it from dying, but you should be able to inflict injury on the person before he kills you, not to be killed like an animal. Therefore, everyone should be encouraged to put in whatever is minimal to defend themselves when such things happen.”

He also called on state governments to strengthen local security structures, including vigilance groups and community outfits, to serve as a second line of defence.

Sura cited the need for improved deployment of local security initiatives such as Operation Rainbow in the state, noting that better coordination and presence could help prevent attacks.

“The police and the military cannot be everywhere. We must augment them with local structures and timely intelligence,” he added.

Sura identified intelligence failure and poor collaboration between communities and security agencies as major factors behind the recurring attacks, urging residents to share timely information with authorities.

He called on governors to activate and properly deploy state-backed security outfits, while emphasising that security is a shared responsibility across federal, state and local levels.

But Lieutenant Colonel Abdulwahab Ademola (retd.) advised against arming civilians, arguing that this could create further risks and worsen insecurity.

Instead, Ademola said the government should focus on equipping communities with dual-purpose technologies that could serve both civilian and security needs.

He said communities must be strengthened through the use of simple technology, particularly early warning systems, as the first line of defence against terror attacks.

Ademola explained that residents could be trained to use basic tools to detect and report threats in real time, noting that attackers often mobilise openly without being intercepted.

“Security agencies cannot be everywhere, but communities can be supported with structured local policing backed by early warning mechanisms,” he said.

Beyond technology, he called for regular training and simulation drills within communities to prepare residents for emergencies.

He said communities should be taught how to respond during attacks, including how to disperse quickly, protect vulnerable groups, and avoid gathering in large numbers, which often increases casualties.

PFN demands end to killings

Also, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria called for a thorough investigation and a rethink of Nigeria’s security approach.

The National Secretary of PFN, David Bakare, who spoke in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, described the resurgence of insecurity as “deeply troubling”, warning that the situation appears to be worsening despite earlier gains made by security agencies.

According to him, the ability of attackers to strike within Jos city, rather than in outlying areas, raises serious concerns about the current security architecture and intelligence system.

“We were already celebrating as if we had overcome the worst,” he said, noting that the latest development was suggestive of a dangerous relapse.

“There is a need to carefully investigate what exactly happened and what is responsible for this return of insecurity,” Bakare added.

He stressed that beyond routine condemnations and deployment of troops, authorities must undertake a comprehensive review to understand the root causes of the renewed violence.

Bakare questioned whether the resurgence could be linked to factors such as increased funding for insurgents, political dynamics, or gaps within the nation’s security framework.

“It is not just about sending more troops or opening military camps everywhere. There must be a rethink, a reinvestigation of what exactly is happening before we begin to respond,” he said.

The PFN scribe urged the Federal Government and security agencies to adopt a holistic strategy that was beyond reactive measures, insisting that identifying the underlying causes would lead to more effective and lasting solutions.

He also highlighted the vulnerability of Christian communities during major religious observances, especially as the Easter season approaches.

Efforts to contact the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon, were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable at the time of filing this report.

But the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, in a statement on Wednesday, ordered massive deployment of security assets to Jos to restore calm and ensure the arrest of those responsible.

The statement, signed by Okon, added that in response to the situation, the IG deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Nadada, to the state to assess the security situation, coordinate ongoing operations, and strengthen the existing security architecture. (Saturday PUNCH)

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