807 ECWA members lost lives to terrorist acts – Cleric

The Chairman, of Evangelical Church Winning All, Kasuwan Magani District Church Council, Rev. Timothy Maigida, stated says no fewer than 807 of his members were killed by bandits during the communal crisis in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the last six years.

He added that 70 members of the church are still languishing in bandits’ dens.

Maigida, speaking at a news conference in Kaduna on Thursday, said the church intended to host a “sober reflection” service in commemoration of those who had died and those who were imprisoned.

He said, “In 2016 when the terrorism and kidnapping for ransom started, 38 people were abducted in all. Eight of the victims were killed, and the others were released after a ransom was paid.

“In 2017, the number of people killed was 35.

“On October 18, 2018, a crisis erupted in the Kasuwan Magani market. That single incident claimed the lives of 286 identified locals who went to the market that day. That was apart from those from outside the local government that were not identified.

“The following day, October 19, 2018, the late Agom Adara, Maiwada Galadima, was ambushed, abducted, and later murdered.

“In 2019, we lost our church members to armed bandits.

“Let me skip ahead and bring you to the current year, 2022. We have suffered and are still suffering from the kidnapping and killing of our people monthly.

“It is disheartening to learn that the Dogon Noma community, which was attacked on June 5, 2022, killing 29 people and kidnapping 28, was also attacked on December 7, 2022, killing five people and kidnapping 28, including Rev. Isa Kabiru. Many valuables were also looted.

“It is because of all these devastations that we as a church and people have endured that we have decided to hold a sober reflection service and bring in people within and outside Kaduna that would help us to rebuild our homes, churches, and communities.”