Following the weekend religious crisis in Kaduna, the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced its immediate withdrawal from the peace forum established by government.
At the height of intermittent religious upheavals in Kaduna and environs, government in 2001 inaugurated the forum with membership from both Muslim and Christian groups and their leaders, aimed at fostering a more cordial relationship between the adherents of the two main religions in the area.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, CAN vice chairman, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kraakevik Kujiyat, also warned of the activities or a group of terrorists who he said had invaded parts of Kaduna State, wrecking havoc in the guise of religion.
CAN directed its members wherever they may be, to observe a five-minute prayer between 12 noon and 2pm on Good Friday, April 9, for divine intervention.
Kujiyat explained CAN's decision to withdraw from the Kaduna peace forum, arguing that, "if we continue to dialogue with people who we doubt their sincerity and commitment to the peace which we are honestly pursing, then the consequences will be grave, to our peril and enslavement.
"We have decided that we would have to depend on God Almighty to help us find and develop ways of protecting and defending ourselves and property."
CAN equally hinged its position on last weekend's incident at Makarfi, in Makarfi local government area where some groups suspected to be Muslim youth burnt a police vehicle and vandalised some Church buildings.