Unity in Grief: CAN Leader Decries Faith-Based Violence During Owo Visit

The echoes of the 2022 St. Francis Catholic Church massacre in Owo continue to reverberate across Nigeria’s religious and social landscape, serving as a somber reminder of the fragility of national peace. In a powerful display of inter-regional solidarity, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria, arrived in Akure to deliver a message that transcends geographical boundaries: no citizen of this nation should ever face death because of their choice of worship.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, Hayab categorized the Owo tragedy not as an isolated incident, but as a deep-seated national wound. He noted that the pain felt in the Southwest is indistinguishable from the daily anxieties faced by communities in the North, where faith-based attacks have long threatened the fabric of peaceful coexistence.

The visit was a deliberate attempt to bridge the gap between regions often viewed as distinct in their struggles with insecurity. By identifying personally with the survivors and the families of the over 40 worshippers killed during that fateful Sunday Mass, the Northern CAN leader aimed to reaffirm a singular truth—that the suffering of one Nigerian, regardless of their tribe or section, is a collective burden for the entire country.

Hayab’s rhetoric was steeped in a call for systemic accountability, urging governments at every level to move beyond mere condolences. He argued that peace is an impossible dream in an atmosphere where impunity is allowed to thrive. For national cohesion to become a reality, the state must prioritize the protection of lives and ensure that those who orchestrate such carnage are met with the full force of the law.

The emotional weight of the visit was underscored by the presence of local religious leaders, including Rev. Dr. Ayo Oladapo, who described Bishop Arogundade as a unifying figure. The delegation emphasized that the Owo massacre remains a “national tragedy” that should haunt the conscience of the nation until lasting security reforms are enacted.

Leading the delegation, the Chairman of CAN in Ondo State, Rev. Fr. Anslem Ologunwa, brought the human cost of the attack into sharp focus. He spoke of the grueling journey of the survivors, highlighting the case of one individual who now navigates life in a wheelchair following a double amputation. These stories of physical and psychological trauma serve as a living testament to the brutality of the attack.

Despite the darkness of the event, the Church has emerged as a pillar of resilience and practical support. It was revealed during the meeting that approximately 60 children of the victims are currently receiving five-year scholarships at various tertiary institutions. This commitment to the education and future of the bereaved families represents a proactive effort to ensure that the legacy of the victims is not forgotten.

Bishop Arogundade, receiving the delegation with visible emotion, noted that Hayab’s visit from the North was a profound gesture of empathy. He remarked that such visits reinforce the idea that the Church remains a singular, undivided body, regardless of denomination or regional location. The Bishop’s message was one of defiance against those who seek to use religion as a tool for division.

In an unexpected turn of political commentary, the Bishop commended recent efforts in Kaduna State to foster unity, specifically mentioning the sponsorship of a Christmas carol aimed at healing the wounds of previous administrative divisions. He suggested that such cultural and political gestures are essential for rebranding a nation that has been scarred by sectarian strife.

The Bishop’s plea remained focused on the future of Nigerian children, many of whom were among those horribly injured or killed in the Owo attack. He challenged the authorities to create an environment where a citizen’s faith is a source of strength rather than a target for terror. The horrific injuries suffered by the innocent, he argued, must serve as the final catalyst for a decisive shift in national security strategy.

As the meeting concluded, the overarching sentiment was one of shared destiny. The religious leaders stood united in the belief that the blood spilled in Owo and the blood spilled in the North are of the same value. The mission now is to transform this shared grief into a potent movement for justice, ensuring that the right to life remains the most sacred tenet of the Nigerian experience.