The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has urged Nigerians, especially those in public office, not to betray the country like Judas Iscariot did to Jesus Christ.
Speaking in Kaduna on Sunday on the theme “Overcoming Betrayal at Easter,” Hayab said betrayal has caused significant setbacks in Nigeria’s development, with citizens betraying one another and the country at large.
He said, “Nigerians are betraying the country, and people are betraying one another. That is why we are facing the challenges we see today.”
He noted that the inability of security agencies to effectively combat banditry and criminality in the country was partly due to betrayals by insiders who leak operational details to criminal elements.
“The security agencies cannot succeed in their operations because of betrayal. There are people who expose the efforts and strategies of security agents to bandits, making it hard to defeat them,” he said.
Citing the biblical example of Judas Iscariot, Hayab said, “When Judas agreed to betray Jesus for money, he later realised his mistake and took his own life after discovering he had betrayed innocent blood.”
He warned that betraying the trust of others—whether individuals, communities or the nation—does not end well, stressing that public officeholders who abuse their positions are also guilty of betrayal.
“Those who betray Jesus and humanity end up destroying themselves. If the country trusts you with a responsibility and you fail to be faithful, especially in managing public resources, you have betrayed that trust,” he said.
Hayab appealed to those working to undermine others or the nation to retrace their steps, warning that the end of such actions is always disastrous.
He also called for collaboration with security agencies to keep the country safe and united