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CAN dismisses Christian genocide claims, says terrorist attacks have no religious pattern
CAN dismisses Christian genocide claims, says terrorist attacks have no religious pattern
By: Zagazola Makama
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dismissed recent claims by some foreign commentators alleging an ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the assertions as misleading and not supported by facts on the ground.
The association’s reaction follows remarks by U.S. comedian and talk show host Bill Maher, who alleged that Christians were being systematically exterminated in Nigeria by Islamist extremists.
Maher claimed that over 100,000 Christians had been killed since 2009 and that more than 18,000 churches had been burnt in what he described as “a genocide attempt greater than what is going on in Gaza.”
Similarly, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz accused Nigerian officials of “ignoring and even facilitating” the mass killing of Christians by jihadist groups. Cruz said he had introduced a bill, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, to the U.S. Senate to sanction Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in such acts.
Also, Riley Moore, a U.S. Congressman from West Virginia, reportedly urged the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and suspend arms sales to the country over alleged persecution of Christians.
Reacting to the allegations, the Director of National Issues and Social Welfare of CAN, Abimbola Ayuba, said the pattern of killings across Nigeria does not suggest a religious motive, as both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry.
Ayuba said, “Empirical facts exist all over showing the spate of killings in Nigeria, but the pattern has not been religious. In some areas like Benue, it may appear as if Christians are being targeted, but the same insurgency has claimed several Muslims some even during early morning prayers.”
He described the situation as a national tragedy rather than a religious conflict, stressing that bullets from terrorists do not “look for a Christian or spare a Muslim.”
According to him, “Sometimes, our situation is being exploited by groups with foreign interests. They benefit from spreading misinformation abroad. Those foreign interests may have a right to express concern, but we must also report things as they truly are.”
Ayuba urged Nigerians to adopt an all-of-society approach to end insurgency rather than seeking external sympathy.
“Instead of running to America, why not use our own institutions like the Senate to seek redress? When they place Nigeria on a blacklist, all of us will suffer. But those who go abroad to look for sympathy know why they do that,” he said.
The Presidency had earlier dismissed similar claims of a religious genocide, reiterating that the ongoing insecurity in parts of the country is driven by terrorism, banditry, and criminality rather than faith-based conflict.
CAN dismisses Christian genocide claims, says terrorist attacks have no religious pattern
Bandits kill two, abduct woman in Chikun, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits have killed two persons, injured one and abducted a woman during an attack on Rimi Kamazo community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Dec. 28 at about 11:50 a.m. when an unspecified number of armed bandits invaded the community, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.
Victims of the attack were identified as Zainab Amos Bagoro, 55, and Aminu Amos Bagoro, 25, who were shot and fatally injured. Another victim, Gayus Amos Bagoro, sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The attackers also abducted Justina Abednego, 25, and took her to an unknown destination.
Sources said security operatives received information about the attack at about 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 29 and immediately mobilised to the area in collaboration with other security agencies.
The injured victims were rushed to hospital for medical attention, where the two critically injured persons were confirmed dead, while the surviving victim is receiving treatment at St. Gerald Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna.
The corpses of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
Security forces have intensified efforts to rescue the abducted woman and track down the perpetrators, while investigations into the incident have commenced.
Bandits kill two, abduct woman in Chikun, Kaduna
Mob sets NSCDC office ablaze, kills three suspects in Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast three suspected motorcycle thieves were killed by a mob while the office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was raised in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 28 at the Danmaje Quarters Divisional Office of the NSCDC in Dawakin Kudu.
According to sources , personnel of the NSCDC attached to the office had earlier arrested three suspects over alleged motorcycle theft.
The source said that following the arrest, angry youths armed with dangerous weapons mobilised in large numbers and stormed the NSCDC office, demanding that the suspects be released to them for lynching.
“They overpowered the NSCDC personnel, chased them out of the office and set both the office and the suspects ablaze,” the source said.
Sources said the scene was later visited by security operatives, while the victims were rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where they were certified dead by medical personnel.
The corpses were subsequently deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
Mob sets NSCDC office ablaze, kills three suspects in Kano
NESREA Shuts Sunseed Oil Facility in Zaria Over Air Pollution Violations
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has ordered the closure of the Sunseed Oil processing plant in Zaria, Kaduna State, following findings of severe air pollution linked to the facility’s operations.
NESREA said the action was taken after investigations confirmed that the plant was emitting harmful pollutants into the atmosphere in breach of the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations.
The regulations require industries to install effective pollution control systems and adopt cleaner production methods to minimize environmental and health risks.
A statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Nwamaka Ejiofor on Tuesday, said the level of emissions from the Sunseed Oil facility posed a direct threat to the surrounding environment and residents in nearby communities, prompting immediate intervention to halt further damage.
She noted that the enforcement exercise reflects the agency’s resolve to ensure that industrial operators comply with environmental standards and to protect the public from the dangers associated with uncontrolled industrial emissions and effluents.
Commenting on the development, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, warned companies operating across the country to adhere strictly to national environmental laws.
He stressed that the agency would continue to take decisive action against facilities whose operations endanger public health or degrade the environment.
NESREA reiterated its commitment to regular monitoring and enforcement, noting that environmental protection remains a critical component of sustainable development in Nigeria.
NESREA Shuts Sunseed Oil Facility in Zaria Over Air Pollution Violations
Bandits kill two, abduct woman in Chikun, Kaduna
Mob sets NSCDC office ablaze, kills three suspects in Kano
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