- CAN Sends Powerful Message To El-Rufai, FG
Armed bandits invaded Haske Baptist Church located in Manini Tasha village, Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, early Sunday.
Worshippers were attacked while the service was in progress.
A medical doctor working with Kaduna Health Ministry, Zakariah Dogo Yaro, said to be a member of the Church was reportedly killed during the deadly attack, while an unspecified number of worshippers were kidnapped by their attackers.
An eyewitness, Mr Yakubu Bala, who narrowly escaped the attack, said the heavily armed bandits stormed the church, surrounding the worshippers around 9am while the service was in progress.
According to him, the bandits came in their numbers, heavily armed and began to shoot sporadically at the worshipers, as they ran for safety in different directions.
He lamented that “Dr. Zakariah Dogo Yaro, a Medical Doctor with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health was shot dead and unspecified number of people kidnapped while so many worshipers sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“As am talking to you now, we have not seen some of our villagers who ran into the bushes while the shootings were going on.
“We don’t know what’s happening that we are facing this kind of scenario in our peaceful communities.
“Most villagers are threatening to leave their homes because of the constant attacks on so many villages in Chukun local government,” Yakubu said.
Effort to speak with the Kaduna state Police Command spokesman, Mohammed Jalige for his reaction was unsuccessful as he could not be reached on his mobile phone as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna Chapter through its Secretary, Rev. Caleb Maaji, has condemned the attack, noting that the organization was saddened by the development.
He expressed concern over the sorry state of the security situation in the country and in particular, Kaduna State, and urged the government to talk less and act before citizens would resort to self-help.
The CAN’s scribe in a statement said, “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.”
