…Says over 70 still being held by bandits
The Chairman, ECWA Kasuwan Magani District Church Council, Rev. Timothy Maigida, on Thursday said no fewer than 807 of his members were killed by bandits and communal crisis in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the last six years.
This is as he also said over 70 of the Church members are still languishing in bandits’ den.
Rev. Maigida who stated this while addressing a press conference, said the church planned to hold what he termed a “sober reflection” service in commemoration of the departed souls and those in captivity.
He then called on the state government as well as security agencies to beef up security so as to halt the insecurity in the area.
He said, “In 2016 when the terrorism and kidnapping for ransom started, 38 people were abducted in all. Eight of the victims were killed, and the remaining were released after the payment of ransom.
“In 2017, the number of people killed was 35.
“In 2019, we lost our church members to armed bandits. Let me skip and bring you to the current year 2022. We have suffered and still suffering both the kidnapping and killing of our people monthly.
“It is disheartening to hear that Dogon Noma Community, which was attacked on June 5, 2022, killing 29 people and abducting 28, was attacked again on December 7, 2022, with five people abducted, Rev. Isa Kabiru inclusive. Many valuables were also looted.
“It is in view of all these devastations that we as a church and people have endured, that we have decided to hold a sober reflection service and bring in people within and outside Kaduna that would help us to rebuild our homes, churches and communities.”
The cleric added, “Though God Almighty is our chief security, I however call on the security agencies to be more proactive. They need to increase their presence in rural areas.
“They need to increase their response time and increase their ability to go after the attackers whenever they are sighted, or after attacking a community.
“We also call on the government to pay attention to the welfare of the thousands of displaced people that we have around us.
“There are many others who have experienced various forms of loss, including food stuff and other valuables. At ECWA Maikori Ungwan Gamo for example, even plastic chairs meant for the worship service were bundled away.
“The present Kasuwan Magani DCC comprises seven local Church councils all from our rural areas, and the security challenges which began around Kasuwan Magani in 2016/2017 had the church as a target, especially in Kajuru and Chikun LGs. Since 2018, we have been going through a lot of agonies, including not being able to sleep with our two eyes closed.”
Credit: Punch