The Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association has lamented the abduction of 163 church members in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the incident as deeply distressing.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the worshippers were kidnapped on Sunday from three different churches located in the Kurmin Wali community.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of SKCLA, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, said the association had chosen a spiritual approach by declaring a two-day fasting and prayer exercise aimed at securing the release of those held captive.
He explained that the fasting exercise would begin on Friday and culminate in a special prayer session on Sunday, to be observed in churches across Southern Kaduna.
Kure said, “This call to fasting and prayer is a united cry to God for mercy, protection, and the safe return of our brothers and sisters from captivity.
“It is also a demonstration of rare unity, as believers across denominations stand together at a critical moment in our history.”
The Christian body urged Christians within Southern Kaduna and beyond to join the fasting programme and also called on the general public to show support for the affected communities, particularly the families of the abducted worshippers.
The association further appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to scale up efforts toward the immediate rescue of the victims, while stressing the need for firm measures to halt the persistent wave of kidnappings in the area.
“We will not be silent in the face of evil, neither will we lose hope.
“We trust God for divine intervention, and we continue to demand accountability and concrete action from those entrusted with the security of lives and property,” Kure concluded.
