By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter has called for more security presence at places of worship especially during Fridays Jumu’at prayers and Sundays services.

Chairman of the CAN in Niger state, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna made the disclosure in a homily on Sunday at the St. Michael Catholic Cathedral Church, Kontagora following the abduction of unspecified number of worshippers from mosques in Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana in Borgu local government area of Niger state during Jumu’at prayers on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Accordingly, he said “the whole of Borgu Emirate which include Agwara and Borgu LGAs need strong and permanent security presence so that those in the rural communities can live without fear of being abducted.

While appealing for a beefed up in security at places of worship, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, condemned in strong terms the abduction of hundreds of Muslim worshippers during Jumu’at prayers.

In his words: “for us, an attack on any place of worship, irrespective of religion, is an attack on the sanctity of places of worship and a threat to the wider community.
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“And as a Body, we express solidarity with the victims and their families and share in the grief of the affected Muslim communities”.

He added that “millions of Christians and all the churches across the state have intensified prayers for the safe returns of the abducted worshippers in Borgu local government area.

“As a Body, we have set aside today (Sunday) to call on all Nigerlites, Christians and churches across Niger State to use this Sunday service to cry to God and to pray specifically for the safe return of the abductees and for God to help our security agencies.

“We are praying and we believe God has heard and answered our prayers already.”

Furthermore, Bishop Yohanna commended the Federal and State Governments, as well as security agencies for their roles so far.

By David Owei,

Yenagoa – The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) South-South Zonal Directorate of Agriculture and Empowerment has congratulated Rev. Abili Samuel Abili on his appointment as the new Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bayelsa State Chapter.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Zonal Director, Apostle Dr. Kiyaramo G. Timiebi, the Directorate described Rev. Abili’s emergence as “a divine placement at a critical time for the Church and society in Bayelsa State.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is the umbrella body for all Christian denominations in Nigeria. Its core mandate is to unify the Body of Christ across denominational lines for effective witness and service. Speak on moral, social, and national issues with a voice of truth, justice, fairness, and equity.

It engages government, traditional institutions, and other faiths to promote peace, religious harmony, and good governance, defending the rights and welfare of Christians while promoting human dignity and the common good.

Apostle Dr. Timiebi noted that Rev. Abili comes into office at a time when the Church is expected to provide strong moral leadership.

“We have observed the exemplary leadership of your predecessor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Opelema, particularly in his efforts to unify the Body of Christ in Bayelsa State and his forthrightness in speaking truth to power. We trust that you will build upon this foundation,” the statement read.

The PFN Directorate prayed that God will grant Rev. Abili “a double portion of wisdom, grace, and courage to instruct, counsel, and address issues of corruption, injustice, and inequality.”

Reaffirming its commitment to nation-building, the PFN South-South Zonal Directorate of Agriculture and Empowerment pledged to work closely with the new CAN leadership to advance community welfare.

“We will collaborate with your office to support farmers, encourage training, and promote food security initiatives across Bayelsa State and the South-South region,” Apostle Timiebi stated.

“May God who has lifted you to this exalted office as the number one Christian leader in the state preserve you. May wisdom be your defense and honour. May truth embolden you for justice, and may God’s holiness shield you from shame and disgrace.”

About PFN South-South Zonal Directorate of Agriculture & Empowerment
The Directorate is the agricultural and empowerment arm of PFN in the South-South zone. It works to equip farmers, youth, and women with skills, resources, and faith-based support to enhance food security, job creation, and rural development.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged Fulani communities across the state to work with government and security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements within their communities.

The Governor made the call at the second annual Pastoralists Day Celebration organised by the Niger State Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs in collaboration with APC Fulde for Tinubu and Bago 2027.

Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Governor Bago described the celebration as a welcome development, saying it provides an opportunity to create awareness among pastoral communities and promote peaceful coexistence.

He urged Fulani people to respect other communities and obey the laws of the state, while calling on Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling, stressing that crime has no religion or ethnic group.

Bago also warned against mob action and jungle justice, saying only a court of competent jurisdiction has the legal authority to sentence an individual to death after due process and convincing evidence.

The Governor commended the Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs for organising the annual event and urged relevant authorities to address the root causes of insecurity in the country.

The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said cooperation from communities was critical to ending banditry.

Ngelzarma noted that it would be difficult for government and security agencies to apprehend criminals if people who know their hideouts refused to provide information.

He appealed to Fulani people who had taken up arms to embrace peace and engage government to address any grievances or perceived injustices against them rather than resorting to violence.

The Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs, Umar Rebe, commended the Bago administration for establishing the ministry to address challenges affecting pastoralists and herders in the state.

He said the ministry had provided a platform for government to engage pastoral communities and seek solutions to issues affecting their livelihoods and peaceful coexistence with other groups.

Also speaking, the National President of Moggal Fulako, Alhaji Sani Juli, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Bago on Fulani Affairs, described the celebration as timely.

Juli commended Governor Bago for what he described as his support and inclusion of Fulani people in governance, urging other state governors to emulate Niger State in promoting inclusiveness.

In a message to the occasion, the National Commission for Nomadic Education identified lack of access to formal and non-formal education as one of the factors contributing to the vulnerability of some Fulani youths to criminal activities.

The Commission called on Fulani parents to enrol their children in schools and guide them against criminality and other social vices.

In a paper titled, “Armed Banditry and the Changing Social and Traditional Values of the Fulani Communities of Niger State: A Critical Evaluation of Ibn Khaldun’s Philosophy of the Nomadic People,” a lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Emmanuel Umar Musa, identified ungoverned forests as one of the factors contributing to the persistent insecurity in the state.

Professor Musa urged security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders to complement government efforts towards ending insecurity.

Other speakers called for the reopening of identified grazing reserves as part of measures to reduce farmer-herder clashes. They also advocated the cultivation of animal feed and weeds to reduce the need for open grazing.

Also speaking, Hassan Shiroro, the Wakilin Fulani of Minna Emirate, expressed appreciation to Governor Bago for recognising and supporting the Fulani community in the state.

Shiroro said Fulani people in Niger State were ready to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in the 2027 elections.

The annual event featured cultural performances by various Fulani groups, providing an opportunity to showcase their traditions and promote peaceful coexistence.