The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an immediate action by the government to free the kidnapped worshippers from Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State in captivity.
The spokesperson of ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, who made the call on Tuesday in Kaduna, told The PUNCH that no fewer than 166 of the victims were still being held by their abductors.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE recalls that the worshippers were abducted about a week ago when armed bandits stormed three churches in the community during worship sessions, whisking away several residents in the attack.
The Forum was saddened by the incident, the spokesperson said, adding that the incident was a reminder of the escalating insecurity and its implications for national stability.
“Like every patriotic Nigerian, ACF is gravely saddened by this incident. It is a stark reminder that much more needs to be done to tackle the scourge of insecurity, given its real national security implications,” he said.
He said the continued stay of the worshippers with the kidnappers demands urgent, focused and effective strategy to confront criminality in the country, adding that the immediate priority should be the rescue of the abducted worshippers, whom he said were likely enduring severe hardship in the hands of their captors.
“The most pressing need is the rescue of the helpless victims, who must now be suffering unspeakable hardships in the hands of illiterate and bloodthirsty criminals, bereft of basic human values such as mercy and compassion,” Muhammad-Baba said.
He said every one more day the victims’ stay in captivity was unacceptable and posed grave humanitarian concerns, and that the Federal Government and other authorities must not underestimate the scale of the insecurity challenge confronting the nation.
Muhammad-Baba said, “No one, least of all the Federal Government, should harbour any doubts or false confidence that the nation is not being held in the vice grip of criminal elements,” adding that there should be no compromise or appeasement in dealing with terrorists and other criminal groups operating across the country.
“The terror merchants and their collaborators must be dealt decisive and devastating blows until they are unequivocally subdued.
“This is an emergency, and it must be treated as such. We must urgently rise to this challenge without hesitation or compromise,” Muhammad-Baba said.
