Advertisement

Don’t Use Airstrike at Muslim Event “for personal gain”: Nigeria’s Christian Leaders

Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Credit: CAN

By Magdalene Kahiu

Kaduna, 13 December, 2023 / 2:58 pm (ACI Africa).

Officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have cautioned the people of God in the country against using the reportedly accidental airstrike involving a military drone that killed dozens in Nigeria’s Kaduna State “for personal gain”.

According to Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, Muslims who were participating in Maulud celebrations on December 3 in the village of Tudun Biri, Northern Kaduna State, “were mistakenly killed and many others injured following a military drone attack targeting terrorists and bandits". 

In a statement published Monday, December 11, CAN officials who include representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) say, "We appeal to all interest groups, be it political or religious, to refrain from capitalizing on this tragic incident for personal gain,"

Instead, the Christian leaders in Nigeria say, focus needs to remain on supporting those affected by the tragic episode and working together to prevent future occurrences.

At least 85 people were killed and dozens left injured following the drone attack.

Advertisement

In their statement signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the Christian leaders "appeal to the Armed Forces to prioritize the safety of civilians and ensure that proper precautions and measures are in place to avoid similar incidents in the future."

"It is crucial that restraint is exercised, particularly when intelligence reports are not definitive," they say.

They add that the military needs to "be equipped with more accurate surveillance technology and intelligent devices" that will enhance their ability to differentiate between terrorist threats and innocent civilians to prevent such accidents from happening.

On December 10, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja Archdiocese said that though “accidental”, the drone attack is part of Nigeria’s continued loss of “innocent lives” despite the “expended huge resources”.

In his homily at St. Francis Xavier Pastoral Area, Baron Goni in his Metropolitan See, Archbishop Kaigama urged the people of God to keep “the flag of faith flying” amid security challenges.

More in Africa

Vatican

Pope Francis Expresses “spiritual closeness” to Kenyans as Flash Floods Cause Dozens of Deaths, Widespread Destruction

Read the article
Magdalene Kahiu

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.

Trending

You may also like

With the incense burned from the newly blessed fire, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, incenses the "Stone of Anointing," located at the entrance of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, where, according to tradition, the body of Jesus was anointed and prepared with aromatic oils for burial. March 30, 2024. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

"The mother of all holy vigils": Jerusalem Basilica is First Place to Announce Easter

In the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, the church of the Lord’s resurrection, the Easter Vigil is held on Saturday...

Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) with President Muhammadu Buhari. Credit: Presidency of Nigeria

Persistent Insecurity in Nigeria “biggest threat to 2023 elections”, Christian Leaders Say

Representatives of Christian leaders in Nigeria have expressed concern about persistent insecurity in the West African nation saying it constitutes...

Kaduna State in northern Nigeria. Credit: CSW.

We Must Not Pass Crime to Future Generations: Christian Leaders in Nigeria’s Kaduna State

Christian leaders in Nigeria’s Kaduna State are calling for a break in the cycle of banditry, murders and other forms...