The association, through its state chairman, Rev. (Dr.) Isaiah Jirapye, expressed sadness that Christian clerics and their families are becoming easy targets of the kidnappers in a news release sent to journalists in Jalingo yesterday.
He pointed out that the abductors have made it apparent that Christian clerics are now their targets by showing the lists of clerics and their families who have lately been kidnapped in the state.
Declaring that "the nefarious activities of kidnappers, which are targeted at Christian clergymen and their families, sadden the CAN Taraba state chapter."
He cited the kidnapper's body language as evidence that they are now targeting Christian clerics, citing the kidnapping of a clergy member of the Christian Reform Church-Nigeria (CRC-N) at Tudun Haske village in the Donga Local Government area of the State, as well as the recent abduction of numerous other clerics from the ECWA church in Mile Six, Jalingo.
Jirapye declared that "this must not be allowed to continue to happen," adding that "CAN is also worried that local Communities and villages are no longer safe as they are attacked frequently by these bad elements without caution and regard for humanity."
He urged the state administration to likewise prioritize the security of local communities, emphasizing that local populations should be aware of the presence of security.
In order to make this a reality, the public must provide security authorities with "intelligence that will uncover the hide out of the criminals in their midst," as the leadership of CAN noted.
Jirapye, who believed that there could never be enough prayer for God's kindness to be shown on the country, exhorted Christians to build family altars and pray to God for a long-term solution to the state's problems with banditry and kidnapping.