Curbing Insecurity Requires “proactive measures”: Christian Leaders in Nigerian State

Taraba, 25 September, 2023 / 11:25 AM

Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Nigeria’s Taraba State have challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to spearhead “proactive measures” to curb insecurity in the West African nation and its States.

In a Thursday, September 21 statement that CAN Taraba Chapter Chairperson, Rev. Isaiah Magaji Jirapye, signed, members of the Christian entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) condemn “in total the resurfaced banditry, terrorism and kidnapping activities across Taraba State.”

“It could be recalled that the past few days, Jalingo, the state capital and other communities across the state have witnessed worrisome kidnapping activities which led to loss of innocent lives while families are forced to pay huge amounts as ransom,” CAN members in Tabara State say.

They add, “Those who could not raise ransom are still in the den of the kidnappers facing ill-treatment. To say that these activities have brought untold hardship and tears to some poor families in the face of the already tough economic situation is an understatement.”

“Government should immediately set in motion proactive measures to address this rising evil before it will deteriorate,” the Christian leaders say.

They continue “Traditional institutions, districts and village heads, within the state should check out the habitat of these bad elements and liaise with relevant security agencies to fish them out for peace and stability of the society.”

Christian leaders in Tabara State note that “peaceful coexistence should be our collective responsibility, each individual should prioritize his security and that of his neighborhood, and should not condone bad elements.”

“The people perpetrating this evil are not ghosts; they are humans and live amongst us,” they say, and add, “If you suspect something, speak out and expose it before it becomes too late. Don’t cover evil, don’t cover bad elements.”

CAN members in Tabara State further say, “Each and every individual, most especially believers, should set up a family altar and cry for the mercy of God upon the land of Taraba for God to show us His mercies and heal our land from the wicked ones, and expose those with bad intentions for the state.”