The Christian Association of Nigeria-CAN, in the nineteen Northern States and the FCT, has described the recent killings in Benue State. as a national tragedy that demands honest conversation and a sustained intervention.
Chairman of the Association in the Northern states ,Reverend John Joseph Hayab, made this known in a statement and issued to newsmen in Kaduna
The statement was issued following a condolence visit to Benue State by a high powered delegation of the Northern CAN leaders.
According to the statement,the delegation included CAN Chairmen, Secretaries, youth and women leaders from across the North and the FCT.
They were received at the Government House in Makurdi by the Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
Addressing the governor and other stakeholders, Reverend Hayab challenged the narrative describing the killings as a herders farmers clash.
He insisted that the root cause of the violence is more complex and must be addressed with sincerity.
“describing the crisis as a herders-farmers clash is misleading and counterproductive , because If you don’t make the right diagnosis, you will never administer the right treatment”,he said
Reverend Hayab added that the killings must be called what they are, and addressed with honesty and courage, noting that while CAN had earlier issued press statements condemning the killings, the visit was a more practical show of solidarity.
He described Benue as the food basket of the nation and a critical part of Nigeria’s unity and stability.
Responding, Governor Alia thanked the delegation for the visit and described it as a divine gesture.
The governor said the presence of Northern CAN brought healing, comfort, and spiritual strength to the grieving people of the state.
He added that the delegation’s presence symbolized Christ sitting with the people of Benue in their moment of pain.
Governor Alia emphasized the sacredness of human life, saying even one death is too many.
The visit ended with prayers for the victims, their families, and the entire state.
It concluded by reaffirming Northern CAN commitment to sustained advocacy, justice, and peace-building efforts in Benue and beyond.
REL/Teddy Daniel
