Protect Worship Centres, Southern Kaduna Clerics Tell Govt, Communities

Southern Kaduna Christian leaders have appealed to government at all levels and security agencies to protect worship centers following the recent abduction of over 100 worshippers in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru local government area of the state.

The clerics while calling for the rescue of the abducted worshippers also urged the communities to strengthen local protection for places of worship.

They warned that the victims’ families were facing emotional and psychological trauma at the moment.

Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders, Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Kure, who stated this during the 2026 Southern Kaduna Prayer Summit held in Kafanchan, the headquarters of Jema’a local government area of the state decried lack of visible progress weeks after the recent abductions in Kurmin Wali.

Speaking on theme of the summit ‘Worship His Majesty’ Apostle Kure said the gathering was not only a spiritual exercise but also an opportunity to appeal for swift government intervention for rescuing the worshippers.

He said, “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.”

While thanking God that no death had been confirmed among the abducted worshippers, Kure said their continued stay in the bush was worrisome.

He said rural communities and farmers lacked the capacity to meet the ransoms being demanded by the bandits.

“There is no farmer in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara or Sokoto who can raise ₦50 million or ₦80 million in the present economic climate. These ransom demands are destroying our rural communities,” he said.

Kure reminded the Kaduna State government to honour previous assurances of action, warning that delays only worsen the suffering of victims and erode public confidence in security institutions.

“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,” Kure stated.