Northern CAN Mourns Niger Flood Victims, Calls For Decisive Gov’t Action

The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and Abuja has extended its deepest condolences to the families, communities, and government of Niger State over the tragic flood disaster that has claimed at least 151 lives, displaced over 500 households, and left many others missing and traumatised.

In a press statement by Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN in Kaduna on Monday, the organisation expressed its heartbreak over the sheer scale of devastation.

Northern CAN empathised with those currently displaced, many of whom are taking refuge in overcrowded and uninhabitable temporary camps.

While commending the Federal Government for deploying a high-level delegation to the affected areas, Northern CAN emphasised that expressions of sympathy must be matched with urgent, concrete, and sustained responses.

The statement read in part, “The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and Abuja extends its deepest condolences to the families, communities, and the government of Niger State over the tragic flood disaster that has claimed at least 151 lives, displaced over 500 households, and left many others missing and traumatised across Mokwa and surrounding areas.

“We are heartbroken by the sheer scale of devastation. The loss of lives, the destruction of homes, the collapse of critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and the harrowing stories of entire families swept away by floodwaters are profoundly distressing. We stand in prayerful solidarity with the victims and survivors during this period of national grief.

“Northern CAN especially empathises with those currently displaced, many of whom are taking refuge in overcrowded and uninhabitable temporary camps. The pain of losing loved ones, shelter, and sources of livelihood cannot be overstated.

“As a faith community anchored in compassion, justice, and hope, we reaffirm our unwavering support to all those affected regardless of religion, ethnicity, or social status.

“This tragedy is more than a natural disaster; it is a humanitarian crisis that should stir all tiers of government and concerned stakeholders to immediate action.

“While we commend the Federal Government for deploying a high-level delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Information and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, we must emphasise that expressions of sympathy must be matched with urgent, concrete, and sustained responses.”

The organisation called on the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and all relevant agencies to act with urgency and responsibility.

Northern CAN also urged the governments to deploy mobile health clinics and professional trauma counsellors to affected communities to address both physical injuries and emotional distress.

“Equally important is the deployment of mobile health clinics and professional trauma counsellors to affected communities in order to address both the physical injuries and the emotional distress experienced by the victims of the disaster,” Hayab said.

The organisation appealed to churches, mosques, NGOs, corporate organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the call of humanity by supporting flood victims through donations, advocacy, and community outreach.

“Now is the time to demonstrate the unity of purpose and compassion that defines us as a people,” Hayab said.

THE WHISTLER reports that only in February, a crisis engulfed the association over tenure elongation.

At the centre of the crisis is the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam, whose term as chairman allegedly expired over two years ago.

The crisis took a turn for the worse when Rev. Hayab’s group conducted an election, appointing him as the new chairman, while Rev. Pam’s faction has denounced the move, describing it as a “religious coup” and “fraudulent”.

Northern CAN Mourns Niger Flood Victims, Calls For Decisive Gov’t Action is first published on The Whistler Newspaper