Nigeria’s security situation appears to be deteriorating, as the country witnessed yet another attack on churches in the aftermath of the murder of worshippers in Owo, a town in Ondo State.
Just two weeks after the Owo incident, gunmen struck again, this time in Kaduna State, attacking two churches.
Saint Moses Catholic Church and Maranatha Baptist Church, both in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state, were attacked by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
Three people were confirmed killed in the attacks on three communities – Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa, and Ungwan Makama, all in the Rubu general area of Kajuru.
According to Channels Television, at least two people were injured, and several others were reported missing after being abducted by the bandits.
The attacks on the churches have been confirmed by Kaduna’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
According to him, the terrorists stormed the communities on motorcycles, starting in Ungwan Fada and progressing to Ungwan Turawa, then Ungwan Makama, and finally Rubu.
According to Aruwan, the bandits attacked worshippers at the Maranatha Baptist Church and St Moses Catholic Church in Rubu, killing three people.
He identified the victims to include the Ward Head of Ungwan Fada, Peter Madaki; the Youth Leader of Rubu, Ali Zamani, and another resident of Ungwan Fada, Elisha Ezekiel.
Similarly, the commissioner said two persons were injured in the attacks while an unspecified number of locals were kidnapped, quoting reports from the security agencies.
He said the bandits also looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages.
Also condemning the incident, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, expressed deep sadness over the attacks.
She condoled with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of their souls. Balarabe also commiserated with members of the attacked churches and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victims.