Katsina cleric raises alarm as banditry forces closure of 10 churches

Worsening insecurity in parts of Katsina State has forced the closure of at least 10 churches across several communities, according to the Senior Reverend in charge of ECWA in the state, Rev. Daniel Barau.

Barau said communities in Kankia, Musawa, Kankara and Malumfashi Local Government Areas have been subjected to persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings, forcing residents, worshippers and clergy to flee for safety.

Speaking on the security situation in the Funtua zone, the cleric described attacks by armed bandits as frequent, alleging that communities are regularly targeted by kidnappers and other criminal elements.

“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.

Barau further alleged that armed groups have imposed levies on farming communities before allowing residents access to their farmlands for the current farming season.

According to him, residents of Mazoji (B) Ward were asked to pay N30 million, while communities including Maruji, Dan Ali, Ilali, Gwarjo and Jimpi were allegedly directed to pay N10 million each.

The cleric disclosed that more than 20 people had been killed in the affected communities within the last two weeks, describing the situation as alarming.

He said the insecurity had severely affected Christian communities, resulting in the closure of several churches across the affected areas.

According to him, churches in Boraji under Siyyaya Chiefdom and Yan Sako in Musawa and Matazu areas have shut down, while another church in Tagabawa, Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, has ceased operations over security threats.

Barau added that churches in Kakilawa, Sabon Layi Mazoji and Gidan Mai Doki have been abandoned after pastors fled the communities.

He also listed ECWA Church in Jimpi, a church in Gidan Damo, Mararar Kankara and a Catholic Church in Gidan Na Moni among worship centres forced to close, while another church in Yan Mayu Takalafiya has suspended activities.

The cleric appealed to the Federal Government, the Katsina State Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,  to provide increased security and humanitarian assistance to affected 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 to address the security challenges, more communities could be displaced, further disrupting livelihoods and religious activities in the affected areas.