The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on Christians in northern Nigeria to take proactive steps to defend themselves amid rising attacks, especially during major religious celebrations.
The call follows a deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, Plateau State, where over 20 people were killed on Palm Sunday.
Chairman of CAN in the 19 northern states and the FCT, Joseph Hayab, said the Christian community would not surrender to fear despite persistent violence.
“These killers are not spirits. These killers are human beings; they may have got some upper hand, but when our people really organize themselves, a time will come when you see that the person who is chasing you, you are chasing him back,” Hayab said.
“Unless and until all of us start organizing ourselves to chase those who have been chasing us, they will torment us for the next 200 years.”
He added that attacks during Easter and Christmas were aimed at instilling fear and disrupting worship.
“So, should we stop everything and go into hiding? No, every church leader should tell his members that enough is enough of this rubbish,” he said.
While declining to disclose specific strategies, Hayab insisted Christians would not be intimidated into abandoning their faith.
Security experts, however, are divided.
A retired Brigadier General, John Sura, supported lawful self-defense, saying, “Self-defense allows you to carry a Dane gun… You can also carry very sharp objects… to defend yourself.”
But another retired officer, Lt. Col. Abdulwahab Ademola, warned against arming civilians, advocating early warning systems and community-based security instead.
“Security agencies cannot be everywhere, but communities can be supported with structured local policing backed by early warning mechanisms,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) called for a thorough review of Nigeria’s security strategy.
“We were already celebrating as if we had overcome the worst,” said PFN Secretary, David Bakare, warning that the resurgence of violence signals deeper problems.
The Inspector-General of Police has since ordered a massive deployment to Plateau, while the military has placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of Easter.
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