The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged Christians in northern Nigeria to become more proactive in safeguarding their communities amid ongoing attacks.
This appeal comes in the wake of a deadly Palm Sunday assault on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where more than 20 people were killed and several others injured.
The incident, which occurred around 8 p.m., has heightened anxiety among residents, especially with Easter celebrations approaching.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Defence Headquarters has placed troops nationwide on high alert.
Abuja Briefing
During a briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, assured citizens that security agencies have intensified surveillance and are working to ensure a peaceful Easter period.
Despite these assurances, CAN’s northern chairman, Joseph Hayab, expressed concern over the persistent violence.
He stressed that Christians must begin to organise themselves to resist attacks, noting that the perpetrators are not invincible.
“These attackers are human beings. They may appear to have the upper hand now, but if our communities unite and organise effectively, the tide can turn,” he said.
Hayab warned that fear and inaction could embolden the attackers, adding that failure to respond collectively might allow the violence to persist for decades.
He also lamented a pattern of assaults during major Christian celebrations, particularly Easter and Christmas, which he said have repeatedly disrupted religious observances since 2009.
While declining to reveal specific strategies for community protection, Hayab maintained that discretion is necessary to avoid exposing vulnerable groups to further risk.
He encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and not allow fear to dictate their actions.
Describing the situation as partly psychological, he said, “We are deeply angered by the killings and the apparent inability of authorities to stop them.
But we must not allow intimidation to keep us from practising our faith.”
Call For Increased Vigilance
Supporting the call for increased vigilance, retired military officer John Sura advocated for lawful self-defence and stronger grassroots security measures.
He noted that citizens can take limited protective steps within the law, such as obtaining licensed firearms or carrying permitted defensive tools.
Sura also emphasised the importance of community-based security systems, urging state governments to strengthen local initiatives like Operation Rainbow in Plateau State.
According to him, such outfits can complement the efforts of federal security forces.
“The military and police cannot be everywhere at once. Local vigilance groups and timely intelligence sharing are critical,” he said.
He further attributed the recurring attacks to gaps in intelligence and poor coordination between communities and security agencies.
To address this, he called on residents to cooperate more closely with authorities and for governments to activate and support local security frameworks.
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As tensions remain high, both religious leaders and security experts agree on one point: a combination of vigilance, community organisation, and improved collaboration with security forces is essential to curbing the cycle of violence.