23 Priests Killed, Over 200 Churches Burnt In Kaduna

CAN Chairman Reveals 23 Priests Killed by Bandits in Kaduna State in 4 Years

Kaduna, Nigeria – September 12, 2023 – Joseph Hayab, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has revealed that at least 23 priests have lost their lives over the past four years due to the activities of bandits in Kaduna State.

 

Hayab made this solemn disclosure during a meeting held at the Albarka Fellowship Baptist church in Kaduna with the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP).

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During the meeting, Hayab expressed deep concern about the alarming levels of insecurity that have plagued the state.

 

He conveyed the devastating impact on the Christian community, citing that 200 churches had been forced to close, while 115 were burned down in areas such as Birnin Gwari, Chikun, and Kajuru due to terrorist attacks. As a result, many Christians have resorted to worshiping under trees due to the destruction of their places of worship.

Hayab recounted a particularly distressing incident that occurred in August 2023 when one of the pastors, identified as Adamu, was kidnapped and later found in Birnin Gwari.

 

He was compelled to lead prayers for over 200 Christians who were still in captivity, highlighting the harrowing conditions faced by those abducted.

The CAN leader expressed his frustration at the lack of concrete results in addressing these security challenges, emphasizing that there is a pressing need for effective solutions.

Joseph Hayab expressed his appreciation to the CP for the opportunity to engage in a dialogue and collaboration between religious leaders and security agencies. He emphasized that such interactions could significantly contribute to resolving the state’s security issues.

In response, Commissioner of Police Musa Garba emphasized the importance of fostering better relations between the Nigeria Police and religious leaders. He highlighted that crime knows no boundaries of religion or tribe and urged people to remain vigilant and prayerful.

CP Garba reassured the community that his mandate was to ensure the safety of the state’s residents so they could sleep with peace of mind. He encouraged citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities to security personnel in their communities.

As Kaduna State grapples with ongoing security challenges, the discussions between religious leaders and security agencies serve as an essential step in addressing the complex issues facing the region.

For updates on security developments and efforts to address them, please continue to follow credible news sources.