Kaduna Govt Shuts Down Churches, Missionary Schools and Hospital
Kaduna Govt Shuts Down Churches, Missionary Schools and Hospital
By ALEX UANGBAOJE
Kaduna State government has ordered the closure of some churches, missionary schools and hospital at Saminaka, Lere local Government Area in the Northern Zone of the state.
Churches and schools affected are; Assemblies of God Church, Nmbare, Saminaka, Assemblies of God Church (Jerusalem) Saminaka, Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria, (TSNN) Saminaka.
Others are Shalom Comprehensive College, Saminaka and
Assemblies of God Church Evangelist Hospital, Saminaka
This was contained in a statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the State governor, malam Nasir El-Rufai.
According to him, the statement is part of resolution reached at the state Security Council meeting, held on 15th September, 2015, over the leadership crisis rocking the Assemblies of God Church in AGC Saminaka.
”The council discussed this matter in the context of preventing threats to the peace and stability of the State.
”The Council noted that the leadership crisis has led to disintegration of order in the church, and raised tensions between the followers of the rival camps. The crisis has also widened to the students of the church-owned school and seminary, who are now split and divided on factional lines.
”The Council reviewed previous efforts made to resolve the crisis. It noted that these were aborted by those involved in the leadership tussle, principally to preserve their personal interests with little concern for the common good, and the peace and security of Kaduna State.
“The Council unanimously agreed that if left unchecked, the growing tension may degenerate into total breakdown of law and order in the said area, with the potential to spread to other parts of the state.
“Therefore, the Council has taken steps to preserve the peace. It has unanimously directed the immediate closure” Aruwan said.
He Added, “Kaduna State Government wishes to reiterate that it will not tolerate the use of religion and ethnicity to cause crisis in the state. The government has also announced that it will prosecute anyone, no matter his or her standing, that is implicated in fomenting crisis in whatever form in the State.
”As a result of these measures, those who may be affected will be admitted into government schools or hospitals, if they exercise the option.
“The Council also directed that the status quo with regard to farmlands, houses and other assets of the church be upheld pending resolution of the leadership crisis, which is a matter before the Supreme Court.
