In Katsina State, a senior cleric has sounded the alarm over the closure of no fewer than ten churches following escalating bandit attacks. The Reverend in charge of ECWA in the region, Rev. Daniel Barau, revealed that worshippers and pastors have been forced to abandon their places of worship as insecurity worsens across multiple communities.
According to Barau, the affected local government areas include Kankia, Musawa, Kankara, and Malumfashi, where persistent raids, kidnappings, and killings have created a climate of fear. He described the situation in the Funtua zone as dire, noting that attacks occur daily, often at any time of day or night.
“There is hardly a day without an attack,” the cleric stated. “Bandits kidnap people, assault women, steal property, and kill anyone who resists.” He also alleged that armed groups are now demanding levies from farming communities before allowing them access to their fields for the current planting season.
Barau claimed that residents of Mazoji (B) Ward have been ordered to pay N30 million, while communities such as Maruji, Dan Ali, Ilali, Gwarjo, and Jimpi face demands of N10 million each. Over the last two weeks, he said, more than 20 people have lost their lives in the affected areas.
The insecurity has severely disrupted Christian worship, leading to the shutdown of churches in Boraji under Siyyaya Chiefdom, Yan Sako in Musawa and Matazu areas, as well as Tagabawa in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area. Pastors have fled communities like Kakilawa, Sabon Layi Mazoji, and Gidan Mai Doki, leaving churches abandoned. Other closed places of worship include ECWA Church in Jimpi, a church in Gidan Damo, Mararar Kankara, a Catholic Church in Gidan Na Moni, and a church in Yan Mayu Takalafiya.
Rev. Barau appealed to the federal government, the Katsina State government, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to urgently provide security reinforcements and humanitarian aid. “We plead for immediate intervention to prevent further displacement and loss of life,” he said, warning that without decisive action, more communities will be uprooted and religious activities will be completely halted.