The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State has raised an alarm over the continued captivity of 15 kidnapped church worshippers, as President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure comes to an end. The state CAN chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, expressed deep concern during a press conference in Kaduna, stating that the government has shown no initiative in securing their release.
Rev. Hayab highlighted the distress and mourning within the association, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The worshippers were abducted from Bege Baptist Church Madallah near Buruku in Chikun local government area of Kaduna State. Despite three weeks having passed, the bandits still hold 15 individuals captive.
According to Rev. Hayab, all efforts to negotiate the release of the captives have been futile, with the bandits making significant demands. The impoverished villagers are unable to meet these demands, as they struggle to provide for their families and recover from the impact of the abduction. The CAN chairman expressed frustration with the lack of attention and action from those in power.
Rev. Hayab shared that some previously abducted individuals were released by the bandits due to weakness or abandonment, rather than any coordinated efforts or ransom payments. However, the situation remains dire for the 15 individuals still in captivity. The local communities are grappling with the challenge of raising funds to fulfill the bandits’ demands.
In light of the urgency and the imminent change in government, Rev. Hayab appealed to the outgoing administration to prioritize the rescue of the captives within the remaining hours. Should this effort fail, he implored the incoming government to take immediate action and ensure the safe return of the abducted worshippers, urging them to intervene within the first 48 hours.