The priest in charge of ECWA in Katsina State, Rev. Daniel Barau, has raised concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Katsina State.
He said 10 churches have been shut down as a result of persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP on the deteriorating security situation in the Funtua zone, Barau said communities in Kankia, Musawa, Kankara and Malumfashi local government areas have come under sustained attacks from bandits, leaving the residents in fear and forcing many worshippers and clergymen to flee their homes.
According to him, bandits now attack communities almost on daily basis, carrying out kidnappings, killings, rape and looting of valuables.
“As I am talking to you, there is hardly a day that bandits do not attack a community either in the morning, afternoon or at night. They kidnap people, rape women, steal valuable items and kill anyone who crosses their path,” he said.
Rev. Barau further alleged that bandits have imposed levies on farming communities, demanding huge sums of money before allowing residents to cultivate their farmlands this farming season.
He disclosed that residents of Mazoji (B) Ward were ordered to pay N30 million as a condition for accessing their farms, while communities including Maruji, Dan Ali, Ilali, Gwarjo and Jimpi were each asked to pay N10 million.
He lamented that more than 20 people had been killed in the affected areas within the last two weeks alone.
The cleric said the insecurity has had a devastating impact on Christian communities, resulting in the closure of several churches across the state.
According to him, churches in Boraji under Siyyaya Chiefdom and Yan Sako in Musawa and Matazu areas have been shut down, while another church in Tagabawa, Dutsin-Ma local government area, has also ceased operations due to security threats.
He added that churches in Kakilawa, Sabon Layi Mazoji and Gidan Mai Doki have been abandoned after their pastors fled the communities for safety.
Rev. Barau further listed the ECWA Church in Jimpi, a church in Gidan Damo, Mararar Kankara, and a Catholic Church in Gidan Na Moni among places of worship that have been closed. He also said a church in Yan Mayu Takalafiya had suspended activities due to insecurity.
The cleric appealed to both the federal and Katsina State governments, as well as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to urgently intervene to protect vulnerable communities.
“We are pleading for urgent attention and support from the federal and state governments, including CAN, to assist us by providing adequate security presence and food intervention for victims affected by these attacks,” he said.
He warned that unless decisive action is taken, more communities could be displaced and religious and economic activities further disrupted across the affected local government areas.
