The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has said that the era of constant killings in Kaduna State is gradually fading away under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.
Speaking in Kaduna on Sunday, Hayab explained that residents are beginning to experience peace after years of tension and insecurity.
He said the relative calm has restored confidence among citizens who once lived in fear.
“We’re no longer burying people like before,” he stated. “To a large extent, people are no longer scared to travel to certain places. Even curfews that used to be imposed at the slightest tension are no longer common. There is new life in Kaduna.”
According to him, the improvement in security is largely due to the inclusive and open style of governance adopted by Governor Uba Sani, which has encouraged trust and dialogue between the government and the people.
“In the past, people didn’t trust the system. They saw the government as being against them. But now, people are free to speak, and the government is willing to listen. This openness is helping to sustain peace,” he said.
Rev. Hayab noted that though isolated security incidents still occur, large-scale attacks that once made headlines have drastically reduced.
“Before, we were hearing about 20 or 200 people being killed at once. Now, such reports are rare. The reduction shows progress,” he added.
He also praised Governor Sani for his outreach to communities across the state, particularly those in Southern Kaduna, who, he said, had long felt excluded from governance.
“Governor Uba Sani has been visiting communities in Southern Kaduna and identifying with their concerns. People now feel included and respected. That’s the kind of leadership that brings unity,” the CAN Chairman said.
Hayab called on leaders nationwide to embrace inclusion and dialogue as tools for national peace and cohesion.
“When regions or groups cry out, they are simply asking for attention. When leaders ignore them, they create division. But when you listen and engage, people feel they belong,” he advised.
He expressed optimism that the peace currently being enjoyed in Kaduna will endure if the present approach continues.
“Our prayer is that this spirit continues. What we are witnessing now is a new life in Kaduna,” he concluded.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that Kaduna had been one of the states most affected by bandits a d terrorist attacks in recent years, with hundreds killed and displaced before the gradual decline in violence under the current administration.