The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the Easter celebrations, praying for an end to insecurity in the country.
CAN in a statement issued on Friday by its President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, is hopeful that the Easter season would help Nigeria overcome the current challenges.
“He that rolled away from the stone from the grave shall roll away insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen’s attacks, ritual killing, armed robbery, unemployment and other challenges we are facing presently in this nation in the name of Jesus Christ,” the statement partly read.
“As they joy rejoiced at last when they saw the resurrected Lord, may you equally see the glory of God and be filled with everlasting joy in Jesus’ name.”
While asking Nigerians to be steadfast in prayers, CAN called on the citizens to exercise patience in tribulations.
The religious body said God can never fail his children, adding that glorious morning of resurrection would come with patience and continuous prayers.
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Ayokunle added, “Though we have many challenges in the nation today ranging from different types of insecurity to social and economic challenges, I urge all the children of God to rejoice in hope.
“We must not be disillusioned as the disciples were when Jesus was arrested, crucified and buried. They were overwhelmed by grief and doubted His resurrection. They locked the door against themselves for fear of those who killed Jesus because they felt they would descend on them too.”
Nigeria has been experiencing a series of security threats ranging from terrorism, banditry, militancy, cultism among others in several parts of the country.
The country has been battling terrorism for more than a decade, a situation that has led to the death of 36,000 people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands in the northeast.
The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) split from the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016 and has since become a dominant threat in Nigeria, attacking troops and bases while killing and kidnapping passengers at bogus checkpoints.
On March 1, jihadist fighters burnt down a United Nations humanitarian compound in the town of Dikwa after dislodging troops, killing six civilians.
Nigeria’s jihadist violence has spread to neighbouring Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.
