TheCable

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the deployment of troops to southern Kaduna as part of efforts to address the insecurity in the state.

Samson Ayokunle, the CAN president, has also expressed the organisation’s readiness to work with the state government and security agencies to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the area.

There have been series of attacks in recent times in southern Kaduna, which have led to the loss of lives and properties.

Speaking at the council chamber of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House when CAN paid a visit to Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, on Monday, Ayokunle noted that the crisis predates the present administration, and advised the state government to learn “from the past in order to draw a roadmap for the future”.

According to Ayokunle, the lingering crisis has resulted in people giving it religious or ethnic labels, because it “has given them room to say whatever they are saying”.

He urged the government to bring the killers who are variously referred to as “unknown gunmen’’ to book, noting that the rate of prosecution so far is not proportional to the frequency of attacks.

The CAN leader argued that “whoever attacks first and whoever is doing reprisal are both criminals that must be made to face the wrath of the law.’’

“The Christian Association of Nigeria is ready to partner with your government and security agents in finding a solution to this matter. Let there be a round table discussion and a pledge of cooperation rather than confrontation,’’ he added.

In his response, el-Rufai expressed sadness over the loss of lives and promised to consider the eight recommendations made by CAN.