Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) has said that not less than 23 Christian preachers, pastors and priest have been killed in the last four years in Kaduna State
Chairman of the body, Rev John Joseph Hayab gave these figures during an emergency security meeting of Pastors with the Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, held at the Albarka Fellowship Baptist Church, in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Rev. Hayab added that many christians in Kaduna state especially in Birnin Gwari, Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas, currently worship under the trees on the ground that over 200 churches in those communities were forced to shut down, while 115 churches were burnt down due to terrorist attacks in those areas.
He disclosed that, “just last month, 8th of August 2023, one of our pastors, Adamu was kidnapped only to find himself in Birnin-gwari and was asked to lead prayers for over 200 christians who are still in captivity.
“sometimes, we are even tired of complaining because it seems we are talking too much. It even came to a point that I became weak and quiet because everyday we kept talking without any solution.”
The CAN Chairman, while commending the new CP, said had it been this kind of dialogue was earlier initiated, the problem would have been solved long ago even as security is every man’s business.
He said, “Now you have visited us. We will not hesitate to tell you what we know.”
Police Boss Preaches Peace
The Kaduna State Police Command, Musa Garba told journalist said the emergency meeting was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF) and religious leaders because crime has no religion nor tribe, even as those perpetrating the act have no compassion.
The commissioner stressed that the insecurity challenge is all over the country and by extension the world at large, urging the clerics to collaborate and pray alongside with him for success, quoting from the Gospel According to Saint Matthew Chapter 26 verse 41, “Watch and Pray.”
He also disclosed that his priority is to see how the citizens of Kaduna state can sleep with their two eyes closed through intervention from the Nigerian Police Force. (NPF)
He said since his deployment to Kaduna state, he has being going to churches and mosques with the aim to carry everybody along in the fight because he consider clerics as integral parts of the society, meanwhile he has directed the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) in their respective stations to ensure that they get rid of drug dealers and make sure that no substance that intoxicates is seen around them.
He urged the church leaders to support the police with relevant information, rather than concealing information that has the ability to solve problems and bring the desired change to country because aiding and abetting crime is also an offence.
The Police boss further urged parents to hold onto their children so as to avoid running into trouble with the law
