With the growing insecurity across Nigeria, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) on Saturday said that it has spent over N300 million on payment of ransom for the release of its kidnapped members and church leaders.
Decrying the incessant killings, banditry and kidnappings in Nigeria, the General Secretary of ECWA, Reverend Ayuba Asheshe appealed to the Nigerian government to work towards improving the security in the country.
Asheshe said it is important for the government to take urgent actions to address the menace of insecurity especially in Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Stating that over 50 members of the church are still being held captive by kidnappers, Asheshe said the church has spent so much in the payment of ransom.
He said, “ECWA expresses its profound grief and deep concern over a surge of violent incidents impacting its members and communities in Kaduna and Plateau states.
“These interconnected crises, marked by banditry, kidnappings, and brutal militia attacks, demand immediate and decisive intervention from government and all stakeholders,” Asheshe said.
According to him, the church has lost over 20 lives to banditry and kidnappings while over 100 individuals, including ECWA members and community residents, have been abducted.
“The Church has already spent over 300 million Naira in ransom payments, yet over 50 individuals remain in captivity, placing an unbearable financial strain on the Church and affected families, many of whom have lost their livelihoods,” he said.
He also noted that the kidnappers target residents who are predominantly farmers in various farming communities and this has posed a threat to food security across Nigeria.
He called on the government at all levels to take appropriate and calculated steps to end the insecurity.
