In Kaduna, bandits have destroyed 200 churches over the course of the last four years, killing no less than 23 pastors in the process.
This was revealed by Rev. John Hayab, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s branch in Kaduna State, on Tuesday during an emergency meeting at the Albraka Baptist Church in the state capital with Musa Garba, the state commissioner of police, and pastors from all around the state.
The PUNCH learned that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to work with the church to address the recent wave of insecurity in the state.
“A Pastor who was abducted on August 8, 2023, informed the CAN leadership that there are over 215 Christians missing in the Birnin Gwani forest, according to the pastor. They are still there, and the pastor informed us that when he was in the bandits’ cave, they asked him to lead prayers for the 215 Christians.
“We are requesting that the CP conduct a comprehensive investigation into this matter in addition to many others in order to restore public confidence.
In Kaduna during the past five years, we have lost approximately 23 pastors to bandits. The most recent one involved the murder of Pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wayo in Kujama, a local government area in Chikun, when he was on his way to his farm. He was from Kano State, and the bandits killed him when he was worshipping God in Kaduna. On Monday, he was laid to rest.
The terrible event at Fadan Kamantan then contributed to the total number of God’s servants slaughtered by bandits in Kaduna State.
“Let me tell you this, Commissioner: bandits have burned down almost 200 churches. Over a hundred Baptist congregations have likely closed their doors. The churches are gone from Birnin Gwari to Chikun and Kajuru.
He said: “If you go to many churches, you’ll see pastors who came from churches that closed because they couldn’t keep going.”
Fadan Kamatan’s attack on the St. Rachael Parish was denounced by the commissioner in his response, who also urged the Christian clergy to “watch and pray” for the state’s ability to establish enduring peace.
Bandit attacks, according to Garba, are not unique to the Christian faith alone; over time, the hoodlums have also targeted people of other faiths.
He said that anyone who committed any crime should be treated as a criminal, without regard to whether they were a Christian, a Muslim, or a member of a certain tribe or ethnic group.
I want to send my sincere condolences to the family of the Catholic seminarian who was killed by bandits at Kamantan last week in the Zango Kataf local government region, the man stated. I was deeply moved by that experience. You can see the cavalier nature of our populace. persons capable of murder at random.
It is regrettable that the CAN chairman brought up the 23 clergymen who were killed at various periods in Kaduna State by bandits. It is regrettable.
“However, because crimes know no tribe or faith, they have been occurring not just among Christian clergy but practically everywhere. Criminals are wicked and without sympathy.
“They don’t consider who you are if they want to do what they want to do,” The Imam and his deputy were shot and killed at a mosque while they were praying by bandits in a village in the Ikara local government region just one week prior to the Kamantan event.
“This time around, you know, there is insecurity everywhere in the nation and the entire world. Because of this, Matthew 26:41 warns, “Watch and pray that you may not be enticed; for the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Therefore, all that is left for us to do this time is to pray.
“The security agencies and I are doing everything we can to prevent crimes. That is why I stated that we are acting differently. I took a seat in my office and assessed the situation there.
“Press representatives approached me on the day I took over my position and inquired about my immediate plans. I stated that my goal is to make sure Kaduna citizens can close their eyes as they sleep.
“I called a meeting of all the Divisional Police Officers and asked them if they had heard me when I told the Kaduna people that I wanted them to go to bed with their two eyes closed. Yes, they replied. And I informed them that they would be responsible for carrying it out.
The Commissioner also emphasized the command’s dedication to eliminating crimes in the state and tasked the clergy with constantly providing helpful information to the command in order to safeguard people’s lives and property in the state.
“Don’t be reluctant to provide the police or me with information that will aid in the capture of criminals. However, be careful to only provide accurate information; it would be illegal to provide me with fake information. You have my wrath for that.
“Don’t offer me information that is bad for your enemy because you’re having problems with them and you’re now lying to me about it. Every piece of information needs to be checked and true. I want to reassure you that one of the main goals and objectives of the Police in Kaduna is to protect lives and property.
Regardless of tribe or faith, we are dedicated to that. Police officers are impartial. As a leader, I cannot see being political and declaring that this issue is mine while this one is not,” he continued.
