Nigerian church leaders have called on the authorities to act now to free 86 Christians still held by Islamists following a mass abduction in Kaduna State.
The terrorists raided the village of Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, on Sunday 18 January, kidnapping 177 people from three church services as well as from homes.
Initial reports stated that 11 of those taken were able to escape. One of those was Ishaku Dan’azumi, the Kurmin Wali village head. On Sunday 1 February Dan’azumi confirmed that another 80 had been able to escape.
Church leader Job Abuya described targeted attacks against Christians as a “national crisis” [Image credit: Evangelical Church Winning All/Facebook]
In a statement Job Abuya, president of Nigeria’s Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), condemned “the persistent and targeted attacks against Christian communities, clergy, and the general populace”.
“ECWA has suffered grievously from this national crisis,” he continued.
“Our pastors, church workers, and members across multiple states have endured violent attacks, kidnappings, displacement and loss of life.”
“Deeply troubling”
Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, also called upon “governments at all levels to confront the persistent insecurity across the country with renewed urgency, as repeated incidents continue to endanger lives, disrupt worship, and erode public confidence”.
Immediately following the abduction, the Nigerian Police Force denied that it had taken place, only confirming the incident in the days that followed.
Reports of the abduction were dismissed by the Kaduna police commissioner as a “falsehood peddled by conflict entrepreneurs”.
Read more: What is happening in Nigeria?
Okoh described these denials as “deeply troubling”.
“It generated confusion, heightened fear, and unfairly questioned the credibility of nearly 170 worshippers, their families, clergy, and eyewitnesses who raised the alarm,” he continued.
“While the need to prevent panic is understandable, caution must not be communicated in ways that suggest denial or indifference.
“Everyone is on edge”
“Everyone is one edge,” reported village head Dan’azumi.
“People are confused and don’t know what to do,” he added. “Some haven’t eaten. There are entire families that are missing.”
Barnabas Aid contacts confirmed that the abduction was carried out by Fulani Islamists.
Eyewitnesses reported that the terrorists were armed with guns that “were similar to the ones soldiers use”.
Abductions of church leaders and other Christians by both Islamists and criminal gangs are common in northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.
“I’m not coming back here,” said Jummai Idris, who evaded capture but found that the terrorists had taken more than 30 members of her extended family. “I just hope the rest of my family gets back.”
“Anyone thinking about remaining in this village needs to reconsider,” said another resident of the village. “Only the recklessly bold can stay with the current state of security here.”
How you can pray
Thank the Lord that so many of those taken from Kurmin Wali were able to escape. Pray urgently for the release of the remaining 86, among them elderly believers and young children. Ask our sovereign God to act decisively against the enemies of His Son who continue to attack His people with impunity.
