The Evangelical Church Wins All (ECWA) leadership condemned the rising cases of violence, gangsters and kidnapping in Kaduna and the Plateau states, calling on the federal government to take urgent and decisive action to resolve the crisis.
ECWA Secretary General Ayuba Asheshe spoke at a press conference held in Jos, expressing deep concern about the ongoing attacks on members of the church and the community. “The ECWA expresses profound sadness and deep concern about the surge in violence that affects members and communities in Kaduna and the plateau,” he said.
“These interconnected crises, characterized by bandits, kidnappings and brutal militia attacks, require immediate intervention by the government and all stakeholders.”
Pastor Asheshe revealed that the church had spent more than 300 million guilds of ransom to ensure the release of the kidnapped members, but pointed out that more than 50 people are still imprisoned. “The church has spent more than 300 million naira ransom payments, but more than 50 people are still imprisoned, exerting unbearable financial pressure on the church and affected families, many of whom have lost their livelihoods,” he said.
He described the situation in Kaduna as particularly serious, citing the recent incident in Kwassam DCC, the Kauru local government area. “In Kaduna State, in recent weeks, the Kwasam DCC in the Kauru local government area has been destroyed by ruthless gangsters and kidnappings. More than 20 lives have been killed, and more than 100 people, including church members and community residents, have been kidnapped.”
Pastor Asheshe also warned that attacks on agricultural communities were threatening food security in the region. “The crisis has been further exacerbated by the destruction of agricultural activities in the region, mainly agricultural communities in the region, posing a significant threat to affected areas and neighboring communities,” he said.
The Church urges authorities to act quickly to restore security and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians in affected areas.
