CAN Demands Rescue of Abducted Borno Schoolchildren

The Christian Association of Nigeria, Borno State chapter, has called for the urgent rescue of 78 abducted schoolchildren and others who have spent over 100 days in captivity across the state.

The state CAN chairman, John Bakeni, made the call on Sunday at a prayer session organised to mark ‘CAN at 50’ in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Bakeni said the spate of abductions in the state necessitated what he described as a “CAN at 50 sober celebration,” adding that many residents were caught between economic hardship and insecurity.

He said, “CAN is 50. There are lots of events and activities that have been lined up. Sadly, at the state level, our celebration is a sober one.

“How do you celebrate when your children are in captivity, when your brothers and sisters are in captivity, when so many communities are being attacked and challenged by insecurity, and when economic hardship is biting hard?”

He, however, noted that despite the challenges, the association and its members would not be discouraged.

He assured that members would continue to intensify prayers for peace to return.

“There is a cloud of uncertainty, hardship and insecurity that hovers over us. But as people of faith, we always give God thanks even in the midst of challenges. We believe that God will answer our prayers,” he stated.

The CAN chairman added that the association was employing advocacy to give the authorities a constant reminder of the plight of the victims.