Hayab Raises Alarm: Plot to Fracture Northern Nigeria Through Targeted Attacks on Christians Exposed

By Mayen Etim, Kaduna

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the FCT, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, has raised the red flag over an alleged sinister scheme by forces within and outside Nigeria aimed at keeping Northern Nigeria deeply divided through deliberate attacks on Christians.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Kaduna on Saturday, Rev. Hayab revealed that credible intelligence points to planned assaults targeting parts of North-Central Nigeria, especially Kogi and Kwara states.

He urged Christians in the vulnerable areas to stay calm yet highly vigilant, advising them to promptly report any suspicious movements to security agencies.

The CAN leader also called on security operatives to ramp up efforts and decisively thwart what he described as the agenda of “enemies of peace-loving Nigerians.”

While acknowledging ongoing deliberate efforts to foster unity among Northern communities and across the nation, Hayab stressed that Nigerians must unite to confront their common adversaries.

He cautioned against viewing terrorism through a religious prism, pointing out that both Christians and Muslims have suffered greatly from violent attacks.

Rev. Hayab, who also serves as Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, insisted that military operations against terrorists should never be misinterpreted as targeting any faith, but rather as necessary actions against a shared national threat.

He further highlighted CAN’s impactful humanitarian outreach during the Yuletide season, where thousands of families across the North received vital food relief items. The cleric assured that the initiative will be sustained and expanded to more states.

Significantly, he disclosed that victims of terror attacks in Owo, Ondo State, also benefited from the gesture — a clear demonstration of CAN’s commitment to building bridges and promoting national unity beyond regional and religious boundaries.