Renewed Attacks in Nigeria “campaign to disrupt” Christmas: Christian Human Rights Entity

In the early hours of December 16, CSW officials say, one person was killed, two injured and an unknown number kidnapped in an attack on Ungwan Bawa village in Kachia LGA. Among those abducted were reportedly the wife and children of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) leader, Rev Yusuf Gan. 

The preacher was “assaulted severely” in front of his family before they were taken away, CSW officials say.

Officials of the Christian entity also report that four men were killed and an unknown number of people injured or abducted in successive attacks on the Kamuru community in the Ikulu Ward of Zangon Kataf LGA on the evenings of December 12 and 13.

The Speaker of Kaura LGA, Hon Atuk Stephen, said the attacks in the region “have been consistent and multi-dimensional with efforts of the security operatives and government not seen or felt.” 

Mr. Stephen called on the federal government and security agencies to redouble their efforts to address the renewed spate of attacks.

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In the December 19 report, CSW Founder President says, “We echo the concerns of Hon Atuk Stephen regarding the seeming inability of both levels of government to bring an end to the violence which has increased exponentially during their respective tenures, and which will remain a damning indictment of their time in office.”

Mr. Thomas calls on authorities “to act now to ensure that security measures are in place for communities celebrating Christmas in their homes and churches and that communities that have already been targeted do not suffer repeated terrorist raids.” 

He has also condoled those who lost their loved ones in the attacks and expressed solidarity with the families of the abductees. 

“We extend our deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones in these attacks, and stand in solidarity and prayer with those who await the return of abducted family members,” says Mr. Thomas.

In the report, Mr. Thomas has also expressed concern about the death sentence given to Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, an Islamic cleric and scholar, by an Upper Shari’a Court at Kofar Kudu in Kano State.

CSW officials say Sheikh Kabara was alleged to have committed blasphemy in sermons about the marriage of the prophet Muhammad at his two mosques in December 2019. He was arrested at his home in Kano and arraigned on 16 July 2021 on charges of blasphemy and incitement. 

On December 16, Judge Ibrahim Sarki Yola sentenced Sheikh Kabara to death by hanging and also ordered the Nigerian State government to seize the two mosques where the Sheikh is alleged to have made the comments that were deemed blasphemous.

“We are dismayed that once again a Kano state court has passed a death sentence against a member of a minority Muslim community, further violating his right to freedom of religion or belief by ordering the seizure of houses of worship and religious literature,” says CSW Founder President. 

In the December 19 report, Mr. Thomas has called for the ruling to be overturned. 

The CSW official has also called on the Muhammadu Buhari-led government “to enact measures to bring the laws and practices of individual states into conformity with the federal constitution, and with Nigeria’s obligation under international law to promote, protect and fulfill the right to freedom of religion or belief for people of all faiths and beliefs.”

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.