The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has raised critical concerns over national security, religious freedom, and institutional discrimination during a strategic meeting with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The high-level engagement, held at the NSA?s office in Abuja, was also attended by the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

In a 14-point communiqu? signed by the Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, and Secretary-General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the association praised the NSA?s openness to dialogue but warned that the ongoing wave of insecurity, marginalization, and systemic bias against Christians in Northern Nigeria poses a serious threat to the country?s fragile peace.

The communiqu? pointed to inflammatory sermons by some clerics as a key driver of ethno-religious conflicts and called for immediate sensitization and regulation of religious preaching across all faiths.

CAN also condemned the growing misuse of social media platforms to spread fake news and incite violence, urging the federal government to empower security agencies with advanced digital tracking tools to identify and prosecute perpetrators.

The Christian body expressed grave concern over the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), warning that failure to resettle and rehabilitate victims of violence risks entrenching a dangerous cycle of trauma and retribution.

They commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the National Commission for Almajiris and Out-of-School Children but urged that its mandate be expanded to include rehabilitation, conventional education, and adoption initiatives.

On the reintegration of ex-Boko Haram militants, CAN said current processes are flawed, noting that some reintegrated fighters have turned into threats in host communities. The group insisted on robust de-radicalization protocols before reintegration.

Equally troubling, CAN said, is the denial of access to land for building churches, discrimination in appointments, admissions into tertiary institutions, and forceful conversions of underage Christian girls under the guise of marriage. These acts, the leaders warned, are eroding national trust and violating constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and association.

They called on the federal government to investigate and address these violations, warning that silence or inaction could escalate religious tensions.

To foster enduring peace, the Christian leaders proposed the establishment of a North-wide interfaith stakeholders? forum, involving respected Muslim and Christian leaders to jointly develop strategies for peaceful coexistence.

CAN also recommended increased sensitization of youths on drug abuse and the role of religious institutions in security cooperation.

Despite the weighty issues raised, the CAN leadership expressed deep appreciation to the NSA and his team for the opportunity to present their concerns and pledged continued cooperation with security agencies in pursuit of national stability.

?We consider this engagement as a bold step towards securing the nation through open, honest, and inclusive dialogue,? the communiqu? stated.

The interaction is seen as part of the NSA?s broader peacebuilding initiative to consult critical stakeholders across the federation amid growing security threats and socio-religious fault lines. (The Nation)

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