The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State. However, it emphasized that the gesture must translate into meaningful and urgent action to address the ongoing violence. In a statement released on Friday in Jalingo, the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Williams Awoshiri, decried the persistent bloodshed affecting innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. He described the continuous loss of lives as a grave moral failure and a reflection of the government’s inability to fulfill its fundamental duty of protecting its citizens. The statement underscored that the president’s visit should not merely be symbolic but should lead to substantial outcomes. “This cannot remain a public show of sympathy,” the statement stressed. “What Nigerians need right now is deliberate, determined, and consistent measures to end the reign of terror.” CAN implored President Tinubu, military leadership, and relevant government agencies to move swiftly with strategic interventions to halt the killings. “These criminals causing chaos in our communities are not beyond the strength, intelligence, and capability of the Nigerian government,” the group stated. CAN warned that inaction or mere verbal condemnations would no longer be tolerated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “Silence and delays are unacceptable. The cries of the innocent are rising, and history will remember how each of us responded in this critical moment,” CAN asserted. The organization extended heartfelt support to the people and government of Benue State, offering prayers for the affected families and those nursing injuries. “We pray for divine strength for those who have lost loved ones and for quick healing for the injured. Enough is enough,” said Rev. Awoshiri.
