US Govt Says FG Must Do More To Protect Christians, After Abduction Of Over 170 Worshippers In Kaduna

The United States, US  Government has urged the Nigerian government to do more to protest Christians in the country. It however said progress has been recorded in the ongoing collaboration between the US and Nigerian governments to stem the spate of terrorism and banditry in the country.

The remark was made by the U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, during a high-level U.S.–Nigeria Working Group meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Allison said the federal government must step up the protection of Christians, and ensure that they are allowed to practice their faith in the country without being intimidated.

The US diplomat spoke a few days after over 170 Christians worshipers were abducted in Kaduna, a development that has raised apprehension in the North Central state.

The magazine had earlier reported that the worshipers were forcefully seized last Saturday during services, from two Cherubim and Seraphim worship centres and an ECWA church by suspected bandits who also led them into the bush.

The government and the Police initially denied that the abduction took place but later admitted that the worshipper were indeed seized and taken away by the bandits.

Not a few Nigerians and groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF,  opposition leaders from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have called for the rescue of the over 170 worshipers.

Reacting to the abduction on Wednesday, a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar noted that the bandits and terrorists have become bolder in carrying out their evil operations under the APC-led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In her reaction yesterday at the even in Abuja, the nations’ capital, the US government envoy called on the Tinubu’s administration to do all in its powers to deter terrorists from carrying out attacks on Christians, saying its’ deeply concerned following the abduction of the over 170 worshipers in Kaduna state.

“We are concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians in Kaduna State,” Hooker said.

Meanwhile, Christians in Kaduna state, under the aegis of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, SKCLA, has called on the people of the state to embark on prayer and fasting from Friday for the safe return of the abductees. The Association, which describe the incident as alarming and heart-rending urged the government and security agencies to ensure the unconditional release of the victims within a short period.

According to a statement signed by the chairman of the association Apostle Dr Emmanuel Nuhu Kure , the two-day fasting must be condcuted by chriatians in all the churches in the state, and prayers rendered during Sunday services for the victims’ safe return to their families.

Kure: “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,” Apostle Dr Kure said.

“It is also a demonstration of rare unity, as believers across denominations stand together at a critical moment in our history.”