'None of our members was killed in Zamfara' - Northern chapter says

According to the Public Relations Officer of the northern CAN, Rev. John Hayab, no Christian lives was lost in the incident that killed eight people.

Speaking with a PUNCH correspondent in Kaduna, on the outcome of an emergency meeting held in Jos, he condemned the loss of lives, regardless of the religion.

“Our people on ground confirmed to us that none of our people was killed. We don’t need to mention those that were killed.

We met on Friday over the killings going on in northern Nigeria. We clearly understood that those killed in Zamfara State were not Christians. Thus, the erroneous story going on in the social media and many others claiming that those roasted were Christians should be corrected.

But as an organisation, we frowned at the killing of human beings in whatsoever guise. Human beings are human beings. If they are criminals, there are police. We should report them to the police to arrest them and not burn them in the house. Our concern is that our nation is becoming barbaric", Hayab said.

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He also noted that the incident could have been prevented, if security operatives had acted swiftly.

“When the killing of the eight persons occurred in Zamfara, it took a long time before those who committed the atrocity carried out their nefarious act. If there were proper security on ground, those people would not have been burnt. But why set your fellow citizens on fire? Whatsoever reasons adduced is not justifiable", the CAN PRO said.

This comes after the new CAN president, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, said Buhari’s administration is anti-Christian.

"Have the DSS arrested the Muslim youths who burnt down a Catholic Church in Niger State because they were worshiping on Friday? What happened to the ECWA Pastor who was killed in his farm in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State? What have happened with Redeemed Preacher who was murdered in Kubwa, Abuja?

“Look at the recent case in Zamfara State, Christians where burnt alive. What has happened? They will tell you, they are still investigating. Have they been arrested and charged them to court? If the government cannot sit up and protect Christians, tolerance is going to break down, they should do the right thing, they should not provoke Christians. Have we ever seen this government bring anybody to book?", he said.

In the past, the organization has also called on the government to stop the killings of non-Muslims.