The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the killings of residents in Plateau State’s Bokkos Local Government Area, which left at least 52 people dead.
Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN, issued a statement on Sunday calling the massacre “barbaric”, “tragic”, and “utterly unacceptable”.
He offered his condolences to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the state’s inhabitants.
Hayab voiced alarm over the ongoing violence in Northern Nigeria, stating that the culture of slaughter continues to claim innocent lives.
The statement read, “We totally condemn this strange and evil culture of taking human lives. Hiding under religion, ethnicity, or any guise to unleash terror on communities is unacceptable. Our societal value for human life has dangerously eroded, and this must not be allowed to continue.
“We’re heartbroken by the latest carnage; our prayers are with the victims’ families and the affected communities in Bokkos.
“This bloodletting must stop. We urge security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime and ensure they face the full weight of the law. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The pattern of mass killings and mass burials repeated in different communities year after year must be broken through firm and proactive measures.”
The Christian body also urged religious, traditional, and community leaders to spread peace, harmony, and tolerance among their followers.
“These wanton killings must not become the new normal. Nigeria must not degenerate into a nation where human lives are wasted without consequences. We must all rise and say, ‘Enough is enough,’” it stated.
While commending the Plateau State administration for its prompt response and reported arrests, the association asked the administration to maintain its commitment to peace, justice, and security.
The group also urged individuals to keep calm, obey the law, and assist security officials by reporting any suspicious activity.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace. We pray that God comforts the bereaved families and grants healing to the wounded and affected communities,” the statement concluded.
