KADUNA –-Bandits on Sunday attacked Haske Baptist Church in Manini Tasha village, Kuriga Ward in Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killed one person and kidnaped several worshippers.
The gunmen were said to have attacked the church at about 9:00 am and shot sporadically causing pandemonium, and in the ensuing stampede, a worshipper was gunned down whose identity was given as Dr. Zechariah Dogonyaro, a physician with Kaduna State Ministry of Health.
One of the survivors, Mr. Yakubu Bala said: “Dr. Zechariah Dogonyaro, a medical doctor with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health was shot dead and an unspecified number of people were kidnapped, while many worshipers sustained varying degrees of injuries”.
The Kaduna State government in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs while condemning the attack in the strongest terms said one person was killed and four others abducted.
On its part, the police command in the state in a statement by its spokesman, ASP Mohammed Jalige, described the attack as unfortunate.
“Preliminary investigation conducted so far revealed that four persons are missing which arouse a suspicion that they might have been kidnapped by the hoodlums.
“Two others sustained gunshot wounds, namely; Dr. Zechariah Dogonyaro, a staff of Kaduna State Ministry of Health attached to the Primary Healthcare Center in Rimi village, Udawa, Chikun LGA and Shehu Haruna.
“Unfortunately, Dr. Zechariah Dogonyaro died on the spot while Shehu Haruna is currently receiving medical treatment.
“Consequently, normalcy has since been restored; security has been beefed up in the area with a view to forestall ing reoccurrence of the dastardly attack while concerted effort is ongoing to locate the missing persons.
“The command is deeply saddened by this unprovoked attack on innocent citizens carrying out their legitimate daily routine and commissar ate with the affected families,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State branch has condemned the attack and called on the government to act fast to prevent citizens from resorting to self-help.
A statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna by its Secretary, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, said the government must live up to its responsibility of securing the lives and property of all citizens.
“Our hearts are saddened over the sorry security situation in our dear state.
“It has grown so unfortunate and on a daily basis, insecurity continues to grow worse with no appreciable resistance given the unholy terrorists who have continued to hold our dear state and nation to ransom.”
It said that the attack was a challenge to the government to find ways of guaranteeing the security of lives and property of all citizens.
“Our hearts go to the local church at Manini, the Nigeria Baptist Convention, and family members of the deceased.
“We are appealing to relevant agencies and praying for the safe release of the abducted members and indeed all others in captivity.
“We also enjoin all men and women of goodwill to wake up and do the needful before we are all consumed by the ongoing evil of banditry and kidnapping that has hijacked our country especially Kaduna State,” it added.
