Christians in Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria are celebrating the annual global festival of Christmas amid tight security. This follows the threat letter by suspected banditry terrorists asking the Christian community to shut down churches for a period of three years in the State.
In churches visited in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, it was observed that there was heavy deployment of combined security operatives to provide adequate security for worshippers and to ensure law and order during the Yuletide.
The messages in the various churches visited centered on the need for Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of forgiveness, love, and tolerance which are some of the ways, the country can overcome its current security challenges.
Bishop John Danbita of the Anglican Church in Gusau said the current economic and security challenges Nigeria is facing are because people have hardened their hearts and allowed Satan to control human affairs but if all humans could turn to God, these challenges can be surmounted.
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Pastor Yusuf Audu of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA Gusau, admonished Christians to emulate the exemplary conduct of Jesus Christ by living in peace with their neighbors irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations.
The Zonal Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church in Zamfara State, Pastor Samson Ajayi, stressed the need for Christians to preach peace, good neighborliness in that way they are appreciating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Some worshippers expressed joy for witnessing this year’s Christmas celebration.
Christian faithful came out in their numbers to attend different churches services to mark the birth of Jesus Christ despite the threat by suspected banditry terrorists to attack their worship centers if they are not shut down for three years.
The Christmas celebration was peaceful across the State without any incident of a security breach at the time of filing this report.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
