Bandits attacked a church service in Bakinpah-Maro community, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna, on Sunday morning, killing at least three people and kidnapping around 30 others, including Pastor Bernard Gajera. The assailants targeted both an ECWA and a Catholic Church during the service. The attack has heightened fears about the targeting of religious leaders and communities, with residents and former local government officials urging immediate government intervention.
The assault comes amid ongoing security challenges in the area, exacerbated by recent community efforts to fund a security post to protect against repeated attacks. The local community is calling for enhanced security measures to safeguard lives and property.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has called on troops to intensify their efforts and maintain high standards of discipline in their operations. He also praised the bravery of the Armed Forces in recent operations and urged unity among security agencies to combat the nation’s security challenges effectively.