By Iliya Kure
News of the killing of two and injuring of three among the 66 worshippers kidnapped in Kaduna last Sunday did not come to leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as a pleasant one.
“The lives of Kaduna abducted worshipers are in danger and require urgent intervention of government and security agencies,” Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said in a statement.
“The bandits opened fire on five of their victims on Saturday 6th November, 2021 and killed 2, while 3 others were seriously injured and are currently in the hospital,” his statement further said.
On 31st October, sixty-six Christian worshipers were kidnapped during Church Service at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, a village outskirts of Kaduna city.
Overtime, there has been increasing cases of insecurity in the state. This has led to the shutting down of telecoms services in select Local Government Areas last month, to allow for military action against the bandits, according to government statement.
The village where the worshippers were kidnapped falls under the areas experiencing the telecoms restrictions, which observers say has prevented the victims to call for help.
Describing the level of insecurity in the state, CAN’s statement says, it has “grown beyond our imagination” and is threatening the peace in Nigeria.
“CAN Kaduna State is appealing to well meaning individuals, organisations, those in authority, especially the federal government and the international community to come to our rescue.
“The evil we are experiencing is more than what an ordinary person in Kaduna and Nigeria can handle.
CAN also appeals to all Christians and residents of the state “to be united in fighting this evil and be watchful.”
