*Describe It As Heart-Rending, Alarming, Historic
*PDP Blasts FG, Kaduna CP, LG Chair
*We’ll Bring Our People Home Safely,Gov Sani Assures
Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna today rose in condemnation of last Sunday’s kidnap of about 177 worshippers in the area by armed terrorists.
There has been no accurate figure of persons abducted as yet with reports putting it as between 163 to 177 even as collation is ongoing.
The abduction, which occurred while church services were on in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, again made national and global headlines, shocking Nigerians.
Among the three churches attacked were ECWA Church and Cherubim Serafim Church 2.
Organized under their umbrella Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association (SKCLA), the leaders said the incident was the first time in the beleaguered region’s history that worshippers were abducted from three different churches during services in one day.
Chairman of SKCLA, Apostle (Dr) Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, in a statement, described the incident as heart-rending, alarming, and unacceptable.
The association lamented that the incident adds to the growing list of unresolved abductions across Southern Kaduna, particularly in Kauru, Kachia, and other vulnerable communities, where families continued to live in anguish over the fate of their loved ones.
Imploring the State Government, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to intensify efforts to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the Kajuru victims, the Christian leaders also urged decisive action to end the recurring cycle of kidnappings in the region.
As an institution, the church in the region, he disclosed, will embark on a two-day fast and prayer session for the abductees’ safe return even as pressure mounts on government to properly play its role of securing lives and property of people.
Apostle Kure said: “As a spiritual response to the crisis, the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association has declared a two-day fasting and prayer programme founded on Psalm 57:2–3, for the safe return of all abducted persons across the region.”
According to the statement, the two-day fast will commence tomorrow and be rounded off with a special prayer session in all churches across Southern Kaduna on Sunday.
The statement explained that the call to fast and pray was a united cry to God Almighty for mercy, protection, and the safe return of “our brothers and sisters from captivity.”
Apostle Kure also explained that it is a demonstration of rare unity, as believers across denominations stand together at a critical moment in history.
He called on all Christians in Southern Kaduna and beyond to participate wholeheartedly in the fast.
Kure also urged Nigerians to stand up in solidarity with affected communities, especially families of victims in Kajuru, Kauru, Kachia, and other flashpoints, saying that they (Southern Kaduna christians) will not be silent in the face of evil “neither will we lose hope.”
He added: “We trust God for divine intervention, and we continue to demand accountability and concrete action from those entrusted with the security of lives and property.”
PDP Lambasts FG, Kaduna CP, LG Chair Over Kajuru Abductions
“The business of government is solving problems, not winning applause. One hundred and sixty-three families are waiting. They deserve action, not excuses.”
This was the position of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following initial government and security denials,then acceptance,of the kidnap of Christian worshippers in Kurmin Wali.
Reacting to official actions since the kidnap story broke, PDP berated the Federal Government (FG) for initial silence and the Kaduna State Police Command over its denial of the reported abduction of the worshippers, describing the development as “shameful and unacceptable.”
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the opposition party stopped short of labelling the listed entities as irresponsible.
The attack reportedly occurred during church services, with the assailants striking about 11:25am, firing sporadically and forcing worshippers to flee into the surrounding forest.
PDP thumbed down what it described as the government’s silence and an “outright denial” by security authorities, accusing them of attempting to downplay the scale of insecurity in the country.
According to the PDP, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kaduna State, Muhammad Rabiu, initially dismissed reports of the mass kidnapping as misinformation spread by “conflict entrepreneurs.”
It stated: “When news of this mass abduction first emerged, the Commissioner of Police did not just deny it; he recklessly dismissed it as the handiwork of mischief makers.
“He even went as far as demanding details of the victims, despite reports from the affected community.”
The party also criticized the Chairman of Kajuru LGA, Hon. Dauda Madaki, who, PDP stressed, similarly denied that any kidnapping had taken place within his domain.
Ememobong said the denials were particularly troubling because residents claimed security agencies were alerted immediately after the incident occurred.
“They had the opportunity to act. Instead, they chose denial, prioritizing the government’s image over the lives of 163 Nigerians,” he noted.
Narrating how the police later did a volte-face, the PDP noted that the law enforcement body acknowledged the incident after residents and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reportedly provided the names of those abducted.
The party, however, lamented that neither the CP nor the LGA Chair had offered any apology to the kidnap victims, their loved ones nor Nigerians generally.
“This act of public betrayal and failed cover-up is most shameful and condemnable,” the statement added.
The opposition party demanded an immediate public apology from both officials for their initial denial and called on the FG to urgently deploy a high-powered security team to secure the release of the abducted victims.
“Once again, we urge this administration to abandon performative governance that prioritizes optics over substance,” Ememobong urged.
“The business of government is solving problems, not winning applause. One hundred and sixty-three families are waiting. They deserve action, not excuses,” PDP stated.
Police Still Collating Victims’ Names -Force Hqtrs
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) headquarters said it is still collating names of the victims of the mass abduction.
Speaking during an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Wednesday, Force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin said the police will update Nigerians when they have more information.
“We are still collating names, but we have an estimate. This is an investigation that is actively ongoing.
“It’s not like we have CCTV camera in that place that can tell us what happened. The moment we have further information, we will update Nigerians.
“But for emphasis, we can confirm that the incident happened and we have deployed all our resources there.
“In fact, today we mobilised one of our helicopters to go there for air surveillance. That’s how seriously we are taking it.
“The IGP gave that directive this morning. Also the Commissioner of Police had to go there to supervise things himself,” he said.
Gov Sani Assures On Return Of Abductees
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has promised that his administration, in collaboration with security agencies, will ensure the safe return of all those abducted.
The governor took the stand on Wednesday when he led a large delegation of senior government officials and heads of security agencies to commiserate with the people of Kurmin Wali.
He promised not to rest on his oars until the abducted are returned home safely.
“In the last two days, we have been collaborating with the relevant security agencies, both the military, the DSS, the police, and the Office of National Security Adviser, to ensure the quick return and recovery of our people that were abducted in this very important community,’’ he said.
Sani restated that the number of those who were kidnapped does not matter, adding that whether it was one person that was abducted or 100 people, ‘’it is the responsibility of Kaduna State government to protect the lives and property of the people.’’
He condemned those who have been politicising the incident, urging that ‘’we should not be talking about numbers or politics.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Terrorists.
