Tackle killing of Christians, forced marriages -? Northern CAN tells Buhari

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Tackle killing of Christians, forced marriages -? Northern CAN tells Buhari

Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria the from 19 Northern states and Abuja on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting deliberated on some of the challenges facing Christians in the north.

Chairman of the organisation, Rev. Yakubu Pam, after the meeting, told State House correspondents that issues they raised with the President included attacks on Christians, herdsmen and farmers’ incessant clashes, as well as child abduction and forced marriages.


Pam said they urged Buhari to protect Nigerians who had returned to farming as part of the Federal Government’s diversification programme.

He said, “We also talked on the Issue of girl child abduction in the North. In some Northern states, some young girls and children are being abducted at 12 years old and the parents will just hear that the girls have been married to traditional rulers and emirs.

“This is gathering a cloud of crisis already and if that is not taken care of, it will lead to a serious crisis. These are the issues we told the President.”

Pam said the delegation also commended the present administration’s fight against corruption and insurgency as well as the recent release of some of the girls abducted in their school in Chibok in 2014.


He described the President’s response to their requests as positive, saying he promised to look into them.

In a statement on the visit, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, he quoted President Buhari as assuring the CAN delegation that he would treat all Nigerians equally.

“Restoring peace is top priority. We will enable the law enforcement agencies to combat all forms of violent crimes, and ensure that our people live in peace,” he said.

The President urged the clerics to promote religious harmony, by “enhancing understanding among different faiths.”

“Government would maintain the priority it has placed on agriculture and mines and steel development, to kick-start the economy”, he added.

Adesina also quoted Pam as saying that it was not a mistake that God chose Buhari to lead the country at these challenging times.

“We are ready to support your administration to deliver good governance. You have good intentions for Nigeria, judging from the programmes that have been outlined,” he quoted Pam as saying.