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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern state, Rev. John Hayab, has backed the call by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for an end to killings in Christian communities in Nigeria.
Netanyahu’s stance formed part of his Christmas message on Wednesday night to Christians around the world.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated, and Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, that too must end, and it must end now,” the Israeli PM said.
Earlier, US President, Donald Trump, had re-designated Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’ (CPC) in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
Trump also threatened military intervention if the Nigerian government, whom he labelled as complicit, failed to act swiftly.
Speaking to Daily Sun yesterday, Rev. Hayab challenged the government and people of Nigeria not to read different meanings to Netanyahu’s Christmas Day message delivered in a podcast, but focus on the message which will have wider benefit for Nigerians of all faiths and tribes.
He was optimistic that Netanyahu’s action which is a follow-up to the call by the United States President, Donald Trump, some United States Congressmen and other global music celebrities would further keep the government on its toes in responding to the growing insecurity in the country especially in Christian-dominated communities.
“Israeli Prime Minister’s mention of Nigeria on the Christmas message video regarding the genocide against Christians in Nigeria was adding a voice to the campaign that was championed by the US President, Donald Trump.
“It is a welcome development even though some people might read different meaning to it based on Israel/Palestine war. But it’s time we worry less about who mentioned our problems, and focus on how we could achieve the needed solution especially against the rising killing in the communities in Nigeria.
“Nevertheless, it’s an additional wake-up call to the government to increase their onslaught against the non-state actors who are engaged in killing Nigerians and destroying communities.”
Rev. Hayab commended the Federal Government for the actions taken so far in response to the White House warning particularly the declaration of “emergency of security”, commencement of mass recruitment for the Police, Army, DSS and other security agencies. This is a welcome development.
He also admitted that the Federal government has taken other necessary and silent measures lately, and the results seem to be on the positive side. “I have confidence in the capacity of those managing our security system, notably, the Service Chiefs, National Security Adviser (NSA), Minister of Defence, and several others. They have shown capacity and determination to work. It’s left for us, Nigerians, to give them the benefit of the doubt and also support them.
“I am particularly happy with the recent statement of the President during the presentation of the 2026 budget. At the event, he declared that anyone involved in the killing and kidnapping is a terrorist and should be treated as one. That declaration was another booster to the fight against insecurity.
“The declaration has given the security operatives the push to attack and treat the criminals as terrorists. I suggest and encourage them to sustain the momentum so that we could achieve the desired result.”
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Christmas message video lamented the growing attacks against Christians communities in different countries of the world, and specifically mentioned the “growing” attacks against Christian communities in Nigeria.
He assured Christians in Nigeria that Israel is watching, and that the country will continue to push for religious freedom and protection of Christian communities in Nigeria and other parts of the world where Christians face persecution because of their faith.
