The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), on Saturday gave its support to United States President Donald Trump’s claim that Christians are being systematically targeted and killed in Nigeria.
Recall that Trump, on his Truth Social platform, had warned that the United States might go “guns-a-blazing” if the alleged killings continued
The National Secretary of YOWICAN, Elijah Bako, who stated this while speaking during the National Youth Fellowship Convention held in Abuja on Saturday, also welcomed his proposed intervention, saying it is a timely “wake-up call” to authorities rather than an assault on national sovereignty.
Present at the convention were zonal and state youth leaders of CAN from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, and the North-East.
Bako, in his address at the convention, lamented that the wave of killings, kidnappings, the razing of churches, and forced displacement of Christian communities in parts of the North and Middle Belt had reached what he called a “breaking point.”
Quoting the 1999 Constitution, Bako reminded political leaders that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” insisting that the reality on the ground suggests the opposite.
“Killings, kidnappings, and destruction of communities have become daily occurrences while those responsible walk freely.
“Despite overwhelming evidence of targeted attacks against Christian communities, the government action remains weak or nonexistent,” he said, just as he also added that Trump’s remarks on terrorism and genocide in Nigeria should push Nigerian leaders to introspect, not react defensively.
According to him, attacks in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa states are not sporadic but “part of a deliberate pattern to erase Christian presence from the region.”
He referenced the ordeals of Leah Sharibu and Deborah Samuel, describing them as national symbols of endurance in the face of persecution.
“Our call is simple: Let there be justice, let there be peace, and let Nigeria rise again as a nation where faith is not a crime and human life is sacred,” Bako declared.
