Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State has condemned Sunday’s killing and abduction of worshippers at the Haske Baptist Church, Manni Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The bandits said to have invaded the church at about 9.00am in large numbers during the Sunday service, shot indiscriminately at worshippers, killing one and abducting scores of them.
A medical doctor with the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Zakariya Dogo Taro, was shot dead.
Kaduna CAN, in a reaction by its Secretary, Rev. Caleb Maaji, condemned the attack, stressing that the religious body was shocked and saddened by the incident.
Maaji expressed concern over the sorry state of the security situation in the country and in particular, Kaduna State, urging the government to act before citizens would resort to self-help.
The CAN statement read, “Our hearts are saddened over the sorry see security situation in our dear state (Kaduna State). It has grown so unfortunate and on a daily basis continues to grow worst with no appreciable resistance given the unholy terrorists who have continued to hold our dear state and nation to ransom.
“Today 25th April 2021, innocent worshipers who went out for nothing but to worship and pray to God were attacked, a medical doctor and one other person killed, many members injured and others taken into captivity.
“This is happening in a nation that her constitution allows freedom of religion yet this freedom is not guaranteed.
“CAN Kaduna State continues to wonder what the crime of innocent citizens is, how come the terrorist appear more free and protected than the citizens?
“This is a challenge to the government, indeed a government that is unable to guarantee the safety of its citizens and their properties will be best termed a failed government.
“Our hearts go to the local church at Manini, the Nigeria Baptist Convention and family members of the deceased. We are appealing to relevant agencies and praying for the safe release of the abducted members and indeed all others in captivity.
“We also enjoined all men and women of goodwill to continue to wake up and do the needful before we are all consumed by the ongoing evil of banditry and kidnapping that has hijacked our country especially Kaduna State.
“The Kaduna State Government and the FG should stop making noise about insecurity and simply act now before Nigerians will have no option than to turn to self-help.”
Sunday’s attack on the church followed bandits’ abduction and killing of three students of the Greenfield University along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway on Friday while negotiation for their release had already commenced.
Bandits had earlier killed a staff of the university and abducted an unspecified number of students.
They have also demanded N800million ransom before the students could regain their freedom.