CAN holds special prayer as 177 Kaduna worshippers remain in captivity
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kajuru Local Government Area chapter, has organized a special prayer session for the safe return of 177 worshippers abducted from churches in the Kurmin Wali community.
The solemn gathering, held on Sunday at Tawaliu Baptist Church in Maraban Kajuru, comes exactly one week after armed men invaded Sunday services and forced congregants into the surrounding forests.
While a few victims managed to escape, the majority, members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and the Cherubim and Seraphim churches remain in captivity, leaving families in anxious distress.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, urged religious leaders to move beyond prayer alone and adopt stringent security measures.
He emphasized that the growing threat against worship centers demands that churches strengthen surveillance and internal security protocols.
"We have been praying and watching instead of watching and praying. The church must wake up," Reverend Hayab warned.
He stressed that unrestricted access to church premises without situational awareness leaves congregations vulnerable, arguing that faith must be accompanied by responsibility and preparedness.
Reverend Enoch Kaura, Chairman of CAN in Kajuru LGA, explained that the session was convened to seek God’s intervention for the captives' release and to pray for wisdom for the authorities battling insecurity.
Kaura strongly condemned the attack and criticized the initial denial of the incident by government authorities, stating that such actions cast doubt on the testimonies of victims and eyewitnesses.
He traced the escalating violence in Kajuru back to the 2017-2018 crises in Kasuwan Magani, noting that the area has suffered repeated attacks, including the murder of its paramount ruler.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Reverend Kaura revealed that since 2019, at least eleven pastors and their wives have been killed in the area, with numerous others abducted.
He cited previous attacks on the Buda Church and the killing of a church member in Ugakala Maro as evidence that the Kurmin Wali abduction was not an isolated event.
While acknowledging the relative peace achieved under Governor Uba Sani’s administration, Kaura lamented that lingering insecurity still prevents farmers from harvesting their crops and residents from living normal lives.
He called on security agencies to intensify operations to rescue the victims and secure vulnerable communities.
The prayer session was attended by the Kaduna State CAN Chairman, Reverend Caleb Bawa Ma’aji, alongside bishops and clergy from various denominations across the region.