The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has pleaded with Governor Nasir El-Rufai to ensure the safe return of 16 members of the Bege Baptist Church who were abducted by bandits three weeks ago. The incident occurred near Buruku in the Chikun Local Government Area. The organization has also called on the incoming government to rescue the captives if the current state administration fails to do so.
CAN’s state chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has said that the outgoing state government still has a chance to rescue the victims in the last 24 hours of its tenure. However, the new administration should make it a priority to rescue the captives, should the outgoing government fail to do so. Hayab emphasized that the safety and prompt return of the captives should be the new administration’s first task.
Hayab also expressed concern about the government’s inaction in the face of ongoing insecurity. He lamented that citizens have been subjected to such deplorable treatment without any action taken by the government to alleviate their suffering. The bandits are still demanding a ransom for the release of the captives, including motorcycles and cash.
According to Hayab, the poor villagers cannot afford such a ransom, adding that their families are stranded in the bush with no help. He noted that the people in power are preoccupied with amassing wealth and that no one seems concerned about the abducted worshippers’ plight.
Hayab disclosed that he had been in communication with the villagers and that their main concern is how to raise funds to meet the bandits’ demands. The bandits have released some of the captives who were unable to continue their journey or were thought to be dead. However, 16 worshippers are still in captivity.
CAN has repeatedly called on the government to address the rising insecurity issues in the state. It has also asked the government to take prompt action in securing the immediate release of the abducted worshippers of Bege Baptist Church, Madala.
