*Hail Gov Sani On Inclusive Governance, Ask For More
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has lauded the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the arrest of two notorious leaders of Ansaru terrorist group.
The duo are Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar), the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, alongside his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly known as Mallam Mamuda.
Ribadu disclosed news of the arrest at the weekend,saying the duo were masterminds of multiple terrorist attacks and murders in the country over the past couple of years.
The 2022 Kuje prison break in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in which several notorious jailed terrorists were released under a hail of bullets lasting hours, was one of the duo’s alleged handiworks, Ribadu added.
CAN also praised Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for what the body described as his strides in inclusive governance and infrastructure delivery.
Speaking with journalists in Kaduna today, Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
He advocated that Nigerians must learn to balance criticism with appreciation whenever leaders and security agencies record tangible achievements and make true progress.
The Northern Christian leader said: “We do not want to be people who only grumble and accuse. We want to be people who, when we see what is right, we acknowledge it.
“The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, deserves enormous credit for the deliberate, intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of some of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorists.”
The arrests, which came after months of intelligence-led operations between May and July 2025, were achieved in collaboration with the armed forces and security agencies.
Rev. Hayab called for sustained intelligence operations and the exposure of terrorism financiers, stressing that no country can grow in an atmosphere of division and instability.
According to him, sponsors of terror must be identified and brought to justice to restore lasting peace.
Zeroing in on Kaduna State, the Northern CAN leader thumbed up Gov. Sani for ongoing road projects and efforts to carry all communities along in governance.
He observed that while some roads in the state still require urgent attention, the ongoing projects, including the recently flagged-off ones, were indications of efforts being made to improve infrastructure.
Hayab, therefore called on the governor to expedite action and ensure timely completion of the projects.
“We cannot expect all roads to be repaired in one day. But if the projects are executed in phases, then in the next one or two years, Kaduna people will see significant progress.
“While we are asking for more, we must also appreciate what has been done. That is why we say we are like Oliver Twist, thankful for what we have but asking for more,” Hayab said.
He, however, urged the governor to deepen inclusiveness, fairness, and equitable distribution of development projects across all communities, noting that the past culture of neglect must not be allowed to resurface.
On political appointments, Hayab welcomed recent inclusiveness but tasked the government to create more opportunities for qualified individuals from Northern Christian communities, maintaining that such appointees should be allowed to serve genuinely for the progress of Kaduna and Nigeria rather than being used against their own people.
Rev. Hayab urged Nigerians to unite across religious and ethnic divides, stressing that silence only emboldens mischief-makers while openness and appreciation encourage leaders to do more.
