THE Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said it will not pull out from the parent body of the association as speculated in the media.
This was just as the association condemned the recent killings in the Zamfara College of Education, calling on the government to ensure the safety of students in the college.
This was contained in a communique issued and signed by the chairman of Northern CAN, Reverend Yakubu Pam and the Public Relations Officer, Reverend John Hayab, at the end of the Northern CAN delegates meeting, at COCIN headquarters in Jos.
According to the communiqué, “It was agreed by all delegates at the meeting that Northern CAN would not pull out of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to form a different body.
“The delegates condemn in its entirety the recent killings and religious radicalism that was displayed at Zamfara College of Education, by some students of Islamic faith.
“We call on government to ensure Christian students at secondary and higher institutions in the North, are given full protection from any form of molestation.
“The delegates also resolved that Northern governors as chief security officers of their respective states, should ensure Christians in their states are not intimidated, molested or killed by religious fanatics under any guise.
“Northern CAN delegates at the meeting also expressed their reservation over the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State to Nigeria, John Kerry that excluded Christian leaders from meeting him, rather chose to make his first port of call Sokoto, to meet the Sultan and select Northern Governors.”
The delegates also resolved that nobody or group outside the Northern CAN chairman or the public relations officer should henceforth speak or issue a statement on behalf of Northern CAN.
In another development, the Northern CAN has decried persistent attacks on rural farmers.
Its Chairman, Reverend Yakubu Pam, made the condemnation in Jos, on Monday, saying that the situation could hamper the achievement of food security.
“Farmers are killed on the fields and this has forced them to abandon the farms; hunger is imminent in the country if nothing is done about this,” he said.
The association chairman called for special protection for farmers, stressing out that farmers were vulnerable to attacks because their farms were normally in forests.
Pam also drew government’s attention the constant abduction of young girls and appealed for special security for those in the villages.