The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said the effort by the federal government to de-radicalise and rehabilitate the Boko Haram terrorists has been so far, counterproductive.
In a statement by its National General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, the body urged the federal government to reconsider the programme and come up with a better way of addressing the matter.
CAN congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the entire Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, while urging the adherents to abide by the teachings and the principles of Ramadan.
The statement reads, ” We call on the Federal Government to reconsider the de-radicalising and rehabilitating of the arrested and the surrendered terrorists simply because it seems the programme considered laudable is becoming counterproductive.
“We congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on the end of the Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month during which Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset.
“Since the month, among other things, aims to purify the soul and bring the individual closer to God, we urge you all to abide with the teachings and the principles of Ramadan in your daily activities.
“We know that it is those who fight and kill on religious basis that are largely responsible for the unending killings and abductions in the country.
“It is these pseudo-Muslims who are slaughtering fellow human beings and who burn down worship and market places, all in the name of God who is peace personified. We are praying for their repentance.
“The CAN leadership will not cease having dialogues on peace and unity with the leadership of the NSCIA at the forum provided for us by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council.
“Once again, CAN rejoices with our Muslim counterparts and we pray that their prayers and restraints during the month will not be in vain.”
