By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory has commenced the distribution of relief materials to victims of banditry and other vulnerable groups, beginning with Kaduna State.The initiative, led by the Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, started on Wednesday at Daraja Baptist Church, Maraban Rido community, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. It targets 1,000 households affected by violent attacks, displacement, and economic hardship.According to Rev. Hayab, the intervention focuses on internally displaced persons (IDPs), widows, orphans, and persons with disabilities in Chikun and Kajuru local government areas. The programme is largely supported by the Barnabas Aid Foundation.
Speaking to journalists at the venue, Rev. Hayab said the relief exercise would be extended to other violence-affected states, including Borno, Plateau, Benue, and parts of Ondo State, particularly Owo.He explained that beneficiaries in Kaduna received nine essential food items, including bags of rice, beans, maize, garri, groundnut oil, palm oil, sugar, seasoning cubes, and salt.“This support from the Barnabas Aid Foundation is to help our people who are victims of violent attacks and those living with disabilities,” Rev. Hayab said. “We selected two local government areas and identified 1,000 households to receive these nine relief items.”
He noted that although the distribution directly covers 1,000 households in Kaduna, the programme is supporting about 5,000 households across Nigeria when extended to other states.Rev. Hayab said the gesture was intended to bring relief and encouragement to affected families, particularly during the Christmas season, adding that the initiative combines spiritual, emotional, and physical support.“We prayed before starting this exercise to let the people know that someone cares and is thinking about them,” he said. “This is our way of standing with them in their pain and challenges.”He stressed that CAN’s responsibility goes beyond advocacy, noting that hunger and displacement remain pressing issues for victims of violence in the region.“You cannot only tell people not to kill them when they are hungry,” he said. “We are combining spiritual care with physical and social support to reassure our people that they are not alone.”
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Northern CAN and FCT, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson, said the association organised the relief distribution in response to growing insecurity and humanitarian needs across northern Nigeria.He said beneficiaries included people displaced from their homes, victims of persecution, widows, orphans, and persons living with disabilities. Rev. Samson thanked the Barnabas Aid Foundation for its support, praying for the continued success of its humanitarian efforts.Many beneficiaries expressed excitement as they received the relief materials, though some were unable to speak to journalists due to the crowd and the volume of items collected during the distribution. Northern CAN officials said similar outreach programmes would continue in other affected communities as part of efforts to alleviate the humanitarian impact of violence across the region.
