The Chairman of ECWA Kasuwan Magani District Church Council, Rev.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, December 8, Rev. Maigida also said over 70 church members are still languishing in bandits’ dens.

He also revealed that the church is planning to hold what he termed a “sober reflection” service in commemoration of the departed and those in captivity.

He then called on the state government as well as security agencies to beef up security so as to halt the insecurity in the area.

He said, “In 2016, when the terrorism and kidnapping for ransom started, 38 people were abducted in all. Eight of the victims were killed, and the remaining were released after the payment of ransom.

“In 2017, the number of people killed was 35.

“In 2018, a crisis erupted in Kasuwan Magani market on October 18. That single incident claimed the lives of 286 identified locals that went to the market that day, apart from those from outside the local government that were not identified. The following day, October 19, the late Agom Adara, HRH (Dr.) Maiwada Raphael Galadima, was ambushed, abducted, and later murdered.

“In 2019, we lost our church members to armed bandits. Let me skip ahead and bring you to the current year, 2022. We have suffered and are still suffering the kidnapping and killing of our people monthly.

“It is disheartening to hear that the Dogon Noma Community, which was attacked on June 5, 2022, killing 29 people and abducting 28, was attacked again on December 7, 2022, with five people abducted, including Rev. Isa Kabiru. Many valuables were also looted."

“It is in view of all these devastations that we as a church and people have endured that we have decided to hold a sober reflection service and bring in people within and outside Kaduna that would help us to rebuild our homes, churches, and communities.”

The cleric added, “Though God Almighty is our chief security, I however call on the security agencies to be more proactive. They need to increase their presence in rural areas.

“They need to increase their response time and their ability to go after the attackers whenever they are sighted or after attacking a community."

“We also call on the government to pay attention to the welfare of the thousands of displaced people that we have around us."