The Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association has expressed deep anguish over the reported kidnapping of 163 worshippers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Naijaonpoint reports that the worshippers were abducted on Sunday from three churches in the Kurmin Wali community, sparking widespread outrage and concern across the region.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of SKCLA, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, announced that the association had declared a two-day fasting and prayer programme as a spiritual response to the incident.
Kure explained that the fasting would begin on Friday and culminate in a special prayer session on Sunday in all churches across Southern Kaduna.
According to the SKCLA chairman, the programme is aimed at seeking divine intervention for the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
“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,” Kure said.
“It is also a demonstration of rare unity, as believers across denominations stand together at a critical moment in our history.”
The association urged Christians in Southern Kaduna and beyond to participate fully in the fasting and prayer exercise, while also appealing to the wider society to stand in solidarity with the affected communities.
SKCLA specifically called for support for the families of the abducted worshippers, who have been thrown into distress by the incident.
Beyond prayers, the Christian leaders called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts towards the immediate rescue of the abducted worshippers.
They also demanded decisive and sustained action to bring an end to what they described as the recurring cycle of kidnappings in Kajuru and other parts of Southern Kaduna.
Kure stressed that while the association was relying on divine intervention, it would continue to demand accountability from those responsible for the safety of citizens.
“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,” he added.