By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Northern Christian Association (NCA), with support from The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, has donated and commissioned a borehole in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, providing access to clean water months after the community suffered a mass abduction by bandits.
The community came into national and international focus after more than 170 worshippers were abducted from three churches during coordinated attacks. The victims were later rescued.
Commissioning the borehole on Saturday, NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the project was a demonstration of practical love and solidarity with a community that had endured hardship and neglect.
He said the intervention was made possible through the support of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, led by its Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Odukoya.
Hayab recalled that during an earlier visit to the community after the abduction, members of the association discovered that residents lacked access to basic amenities, particularly potable water.
“We are here because our brothers and sisters in Kurmin Wali were attacked some months ago and many worshippers in three churches were taken away. Though they were later rescued, we discovered that the community lacked basic amenities, especially clean water.
“As we continued to speak about their plight, brethren from The Fountain of Life Church in Lagos, through their Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Odukoya, offered to help. When the community identified water as one of its greatest needs, we immediately took action,” he said.
According to him, the borehole was provided to ease the suffering of residents and improve their living conditions.
“The last time we came here, it was a period of sorrow and tears, but today the women are smiling because they now have water to cook, bathe and carry out other domestic activities. This is the kind of practical love communities in distress need,” he added.
Hayab noted that the NCA has continued to support victims of violence across northern Nigeria through scholarships, women empowerment programmes and assistance to widows and orphans.
He, however, said the needs of affected communities remain enormous and appealed to individuals, faith-based organisations and philanthropists to support humanitarian interventions.
“We cannot continue to complain that people have been neglected without demonstrating love and compassion. With the little resources available to us, we are restoring hope to communities in distress,” he said.
The NCA chairman also urged the Kaduna State Government to fulfil promises made to the community after the abduction.
He said government officials had promised to provide critical infrastructure, including a hospital, military base and road, but the commitments were yet to be fulfilled.
“This is a wake-up call. If promises are made to people who are already in pain, they should be honoured. We believe the government can still fulfil its commitments to this community,” he said.
Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, described the borehole as a life-changing intervention, noting that access to clean water remains a major challenge in many rural communities.
“Whoever gives water gives life. We thank God for using the NCA and its partners to put smiles on the faces of these people. We pray that God will continue to bless the donors,” he said.
The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, expressed appreciation to the NCA and The Fountain of Life Church for the intervention.
He said residents had continued to struggle without basic infrastructure despite the trauma caused by the mass abduction.
“When the incident happened, the government promised us a hospital, a military base and road construction, but we have not seen any of them. We appeal for assistance because of our peculiar situation,” he said.
For residents of Kurmin Wali, the newly commissioned borehole represents more than a source of clean water. It stands as a symbol of hope, compassion and support for a community striving to recover from the effects of insecurity.
