Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 northern states and Abuja chapter said yesterday that the bombings and killings of Christians on Christmas Day in Madalla, Niger State, was an invitation to religious war.
Addressing a Press conference in Kaduna, Secretary-General of the CAN chapter, Elder Saidu Dogo, warned Islamic leaders to call their people to order to avert religious war. He said that no group should push another group to the wall to fan the ember of religious war.

This was even as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as well as the leader of an Islamic movement in Nigeria; Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky, condemned the Christmas Day attacks.
ACF, in a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony NZ Sani, said the forum was worried over the incident because it could aggravate religious crisis in the country.
Also, Zakzaky spoke through his representative, Malam Waziri Isah Gwantu, who led a delegation from Zaria to the residence of Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Special Adviser on Christian Matters to Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa for Christmas Peace feast.

Dogo said: “We shall henceforth in the midst of these provocations and wanton destruction of innocent lives and property be compelled to make our own efforts and arrangements to protect the lives of innocent Christians and peace-loving citizens of this country. We are therefore, calling on all Christians to be law-abiding, but defend themselves whenever the need arises.
“We are therefore, calling on the Muslim Ummah and Ulamas in Nigeria to live up to their responsibilities by calling to order all Islamic sects in the country to have respect for human lives and stop these killings. For we fear that the situation may degenerate to a religious war and Nigeria may not be able to survive one. Once again, ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

“We appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government and its security agents in trying to curtail these attacks. However, we are piqued that the efforts of government are being undermined by the sponsors of the Islamic fundamentalists in the North.
“We are particularly disturbed that the perpetrators of these dastardly acts and their sponsors are well-known to government and no serious or decisive actions have been taken to stem their nefarious activities
“The Federal and state governments of Niger, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and such other areas that these wanton destruction of lives and property have been or are being perpetrated, should arrest and bring to book all the perpetrators and their sponsors.
“Government at all levels should provide 24 hours security services to all churches, Christian religious institutions and organizations in the county, especially in the North.

“We are also calling on the Federal and state governments to urgently stem these massacres of Christians and the destruction of their churches and property in the North. The attacks so far have proved that some Islamic fundamentalists want to exterminate Christianity in the Northern states. We are assuring all Christians that the church will not allow that to happen.
“We call on all Christians in the North to remain calm, watchful, prayerful, and peaceful, but act wisely to protect themselves and property as each situation dictates. Our condolences go to the families of all those who lost their lives in the wake of these attacks.”

The ACF statement said: “The spate of bomb blasts on Christmas Day, which were directed at places of worship across some parts of the North is a serious source of concern to Arewa Consultative Forum, to Northern leaders and to the good people of the North, indeed, to patriotic Nigerians.
“Source of concern, not because past bombings were less serious, but because those on the Christmas Day are capable of diverting attention to religious crises that would serve no one, including the perpetrators, any good now and for a long time to come.
“Consequently, ACF calls on the perpetrators of violence to stop forthwith and avail themselves the due process of addressing perceived grievances that are in place.

“ACF also wishes to say killing of innocent Nigerians is not correct and offends God and many people’s sense of justice. This is because good numbers of those who go to places of worship are not lettered in either Western or Islamic education.
“Moreso that Western education is not necessarily the cause of the collapse of national ideals, moral values and cause of indiscipline in the polity, since there are examples of Muslim countries and Christian countries with Western education that are morally sound.
“Turkey belongs to the former and Nordic country of Norway belongs to the latter. Nigerians of all faiths must therefore, come together and confront corruption in all ramifications by inspiring cultural renaissance for collective good.

“Corruption in Nigeria is not an exclusive preserve of Western education, but a national malaise that should be confronted by all, and not government alone. Enough of the bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians.
“ACF commiserates with those who lost their loved ones and property to the misguided destruction. The forum prays to God of peace to give them the fortitude to endure the loss and means of replacements many folds. And to the perpetrators, to accept the offer of dialogue and constructive engagements by well-meaning Nigerians and world leaders.”

According to Zakzaky, “peace is paramount, we need peace as basis of our lives, killings and damaging ourselves is not good for us. Killing people unjustifiable are not good and killing is not our religion, we must chart a new course for our society.
“Co-operation from peaceful Christians and Muslims is needed towards attaining purposeful understanding and integration.”
In his remarks, Rev. Hayab said Nigeria was going through national challenges and needed the co-operation of its citizens irrespective of religions and tribes.
“We are in critical times of our nation and lives as Nigerians, we must work for peace, violence is not the answer and solution to challenges. We must work hard and commit our nation to genuine prayers, prayer is the key to every challenge we are going through.” He said.
Meanwhile, a group known as Initiative for Moral Rebirth in Nigeria, said the Boko Haram was never a faceless group, and urged the government to call them to a roundtable for dialogue.

Addressing a Press conference at the weekend, president of the group, Abdulwasiu Adebayo, said: “As a matter of urgency, government should embrace the use of dialogue to solve this security threat.
“The failure of the military to effectively handle security situation in some troubled areas in the country clearly exposes the weakness and inability of government to proffer solutions, but using force only as evidenced in the Niger Delta militancy, Boko Haram, Jos crisis.
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