Edo Killings: Revenge Should Not Be Next Thing To Do – Northern CAN 

…Felicitates Muslims for successful Ramadan, Eid-el-Fitr

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern States and the FCT chapter, has appealed against any form of revenge over recent murder of 16 Northerners in Uromi, Edo State.

The Northern CAN which condemned the killings, expressed grief and sorrow as the country mourns the killing of the 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State.

CAN however said that as we mourn the loss of the innocent lives, it appealed to those calling for counter-reaction to reconsider their actions, stressing that revenge is not a solution but a recipe for further chaos and destruction.

It noted that it is the innocent who will suffer again, and the cycle of violence will only continue to worsen.

Northern CAN noted the pain and anguish the families and loved ones of the victims must endure which it noted are unbearable, and pray God to grant them comfort, strength, and solace during this darkest of times.

In the words of Northern CAN; “This heinous act of violence is a stain on our collective humanity, and CAN condemns it in the strongest terms. The brutal taking of innocent lives is a tragedy that should unite us all in our outrage and determination to ensure that justice is served.

“As Christians, we stand in solidarity with their families, recognizing that this act of violence is not only an attack on any region but on our shared humanity.

“In this moment of unimaginable pain, we pray for peace and calm to be restored and for an end to violence and bloodshed in our nation.

“We pray for the healing of our land, for the rebuilding of trust and understanding between people of different faiths, and for the protection of all Nigerians from harm.

“We weep with you, we mourn with you, and we pray with you for an end to this senseless violence. To the immediate families and relatives of the victims, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences.

“We can only imagine the depth of your pain and grief, and we pray that God grants you the strength and courage to bear this unbearable loss. May the memories of your loved ones be a blessing to you, and may their sacrifice not be in vain,” it said.

These were contained in an Eid-El fitri Salah goodwill message signed by the Chairman, Rev Dr John Joseph Hayab and Secretary, Bishop Mohammed Naga, to felicitate with Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the successful completion of the 2025 Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The Northern CAN noted that the spiritual activities were significant and rewarding to every faithful, especially those who embrace the teachings as instructed in the Holy Books.

It also said; “Furthermore, we condemn the stereotypes and generalizations that seek to demonize Nigerians based on the actions of a few. Nigerians must rise in unison to reject such stereotypes and generalizations, whether based on religious, ethnic, or regional grounds.

“Evil is evil, and criminals must be treated as such without recourse to identities that criminals use to evade justice. Such divisive rhetoric only serves to fuel further violence and mistrust. Instead, we must work towards a future where every Nigerian can live without fear of violence or persecution, regardless of their location within the federation.

“We task the security agencies, the government of Edo State, and the Federal Government to ensure diligence in investigating this heinous crime and prosecuting those involved.

“It is crucial that they take immediate and transparent action to bring the perpetrators to justice. As we move forward, we urge all Nigerians to join us in this pursuit of peace, justice, and harmony.

“We firmly believe that strengthening our justice system to ensure swift and fair punishment for perpetrators of crime is essential for lasting peace in our nation. By doing so, we can break the cycle of violence and create a safer, more just society for all Nigerians,” it said.