Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, have called on the government, security agencies, and local communities to take urgent action to protect worship centres and secure the release of abducted worshippers.
They expressed concern over what they described as a lack of visible action to rescue the 166 worshippers abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area, on January 18.
A total of 177 worshippers, including five-year-old children, women, and elderly men, were seized by bandits during church services. Eleven of the victims later escaped from their captors and returned to the community with injuries and signs of trauma.
Speaking during the 2026 Southern Kaduna Prayer Summit at Kafanchan New Township Stadium under the theme “Worship His Majesty” on Saturday, the Chairman of Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, urged the government to expedite efforts to rescue the victims.
“It has been almost two weeks, and nobody has been released. In other cases, early government intervention often leads to quick release of victims, but here, there has been no movement,” he said.
Addressing the issue of ransom, Kure said rural communities and farmers could not meet the steep demands.
“There is no farmer in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, or Sokoto who can raise N50m or N80m in the present economic climate. These ransom demands are destroying our rural communities,” he lamented.
The cleric urged the state government to honour previous assurances of action, warning that delays only worsen the plight of victims and erode public confidence in security institutions.
Kure also called on communities to strengthen protection for places of worship.
“Our holy places must remain sacred. Christians and Muslims alike must rise to ensure that our places of worship are protected. If government resources are stretched, communities must remain vigilant and coordinate with security agencies to prevent further attacks,” he said.
He described the summit as not only a spiritual gathering but also a platform to urge swift government intervention.
While thanking God that no deaths had been confirmed among the abducted worshippers, he highlighted the trauma suffered by families, noting that even journalists covering the incidents were moved to tears. Young children in affected communities, he said, were particularly affected.
Speaking at the summit, a member of the House of Representatives for Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency, Dan Amos, encouraged Christians and religious leaders in Southern Kaduna to intensify prayers for the country’s peace, stability, and development, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.
He commended government efforts to improve critical sectors such as electricity supply, noting that stable power would boost industrial growth and attract investors to Kaduna State and Southern Kaduna.
“Development is not today, tomorrow, or the next day. With commitment, consistency, and the guidance of God, we will surely get there,” he said.
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