Nigeria’s Laxed Response to Militias Behind Security Failures: UK-Based Christian Entity

Pastor Silas Yakubu Ali of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Kibori-Asha Awuce in Zonzon District Church Council (DCC) disappeared on September 11. His lifeless body was found around half a kilometre from his home with bullet and machete wounds.

On the evening of September 12, Fulani assailants attacked Apyizhime Jim village, also in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) killing at least 11 people, including two pregnant women. 

In the September 14 statement, CSW officials express their “deepest condolences to the family, church and community of Reverend Ali, and to those who lost loved ones in the attack on Apyizhime Jim village.”

“Our prayers are also with Rev. Fr. Benson Yakusak, whose abduction highlights once again the existence of a religious component to the violence underway in southern Kaduna,” CSW leadership says.

In the September 14 statement, CSW President calls upon relevant Nigerian authorities to strengthen the protection of “vulnerable communities” against terrorists. 

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“We urge the authorities to significantly increase their efforts to protect vulnerable communities, and to mount a sustained campaign against armed non-state actors across the country until Nigeria is secure,” Mr. Mervyn says. 

He further urges the international community to intervene “by applying pressure on the Nigerian authorities to take effective action, holding them to account if they fail to do so, and providing support in every way necessary.”    

In August, the leadership of CSW described Nigeria’s situation as a thorny issue that must be confronted and addressed as a matter of urgency.

“The unprecedented levels of violence and criminality are taking an enormous toll on Nigerian citizens. They deserve far better,” Mr. Mervyn said.

He continued, “We therefore reiterate our call for international pressure to be brought to bear on the Nigerian authorities to galvanize them into securing the nation and ensuring protection for all citizens, regardless of creed or ethnicity.”