A senior cleric in Katsina State has raised alarm over worsening insecurity in parts of the state, disclosing that at least 10 churches have been forced to shut down across several communities due to persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings.
The senior reverend in charge of ECWA in Katsina State, Rev. Daniel Barau, said communities in Kankia, Musawa, Kankara and Malumfashi local government areas have come under sustained attacks, forcing residents, worshippers and pastors to abandon their homes for safety.
Speaking on the deteriorating security situation in the Funtua zone, Rev. Barau said attacks by armed bandits had become a daily occurrence, with residents living in constant fear.
“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.
He further alleged that armed groups have imposed levies on farming communities, demanding large sums of money 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 before being allowed to farm, while communities such as Maruji, Dan Ali, Ilali, Gwarjo and Jimpi were reportedly directed to pay N10 million each.
Rev. Barau also disclosed that more than 20 people had been killed in the affected areas within the last two weeks alone, describing the situation as deeply alarming.
He said the worsening insecurity has had severe consequences on Christian communities, leading to the closure of several churches across the state.
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 also ceased operations due to threats.
He added that churches in Kakilawa, Sabon Layi Mazoji and Gidan Mai Doki have been abandoned after pastors fled for safety.
Rev. Barau further listed ECWA Church in Jimpi, a church in Gidan Damo, Mararar Kankara, and a Catholic Church in Gidan Na Moni among worship centres that have been forced to close, while another church in Yan Mayu Takalafiya has also suspended activities.
He appealed to the federal and Katsina State governments, as well as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to urgently intervene and provide adequate security and humanitarian support 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.
Rev. Barau warned that unless decisive action is taken, more communities risk being displaced, with religious activities and livelihoods further disrupted across the affected local government areas.
