Insecurity: Southern Kaduna Replaces Annual Festival With Prayer Summit

Sequel to renewed attacks by bandits in Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaura local government area of Kaduna State, the popular annual AFAN festival which usually usher in the New Year in the area, has been replaced with a prayer.

Bandits had on December 18, 2022 attacked Malagum 1 and Sokong communities in the council and killed 40 persons with a vow to strike again.

The prayer summit which was organised by the chiefdom in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation “Global Peace Foundation – Nigeria” was used to pray for the land, her people and the repose of the souls of those killed during the attacks, as well as an end to the barbaric attacks.

The summit which had the theme: “Looking up to God in times of trouble” drew participants from both the Christian and Muslims faiths.

Earlier at his palace in Kagoro, the Chief of Kagoro, Dr. Ufuwai Bonet, said his people now lived in fear as the attackers had promised to invade their communities again.

He expressed worry about the motives of the attackers, even as he said their doors were open to discuss whatever grievances they have, instead of taking the laws into their own hands.

The paramount ruler appealed to the security agencies to investigate and arrest the perpetrators with the aim of bringing them to book.

The country director, Global Peace Foundation -Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the programme was organised to put the enemy to shame and to encourage the people not to lose hope in the search for lasting peace.

Also, the Chiefdoms’ Peace Committee chairman, Mr. Sule Kambai, thanked the people for agreeing to come out en mass to pray for the land, in spite of the recent attacks in the area that led to the death of many souls.