The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna State chapter, Joseph Hayab, has said that bandits have killed 23 pastors and shut down over 200 churches across Kaduna State.
Mr Hayab disclosed this during a meeting with the state commissioner of Police, Musa Garba, and pastors from different church denominations across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The CAN leader explained that church had gone through difficult times due to the activities of criminal elements in the state.
He said: “A pastor who was kidnapped on 8th August 2023, told the CAN leadership that there are over 215 Christians abducted by the bandits in Birnin Gwari forest.
“They are still there and the pastor told us that the bandits asked him to lead prayers for the 215 Christians while he was in their den.
“We are calling on the CP to look into this issue among many others holistically to build the confidence of the people once again,” Mr Hayab disclosed.
Also speaking, the former secretary general of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, worldwide, Yunusa Nmadu, and other pastors who spoke at the meeting urged the police commissioner to also consider bringing to book pastors and imams who engaged in hate sermons and speeches.
The clergies called on the CP to look into the cases of those selling hard drugs, saying most of the criminal acts were committed under the influence of hard drugs.
Responding, the CP stressed that criminality had no religion, saying that whoever engaged in any act of criminality should be addressed as a criminal without profiling him or her as a Christian or Muslim.
“Security is the responsibility of all and not only that of the government. While the government takes the lead in the protection of lives and property, individuals are also expected to play their part, particularly in the area of providing information.
“The meeting was basically to strengthen the relationship between the police and religious leaders and listen to their challenges and together foster possible solutions.
“The police force under my leadership in the state will do its very best in the discharge of our duties. We should all be our brothers’ keepers.
“Always reach out to security personnel around your communities with prompt information once you identify suspicious persons,” the CP tasked the clergies.
