The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday, condemned the abduction of the Parish Priest of St. Theresa Catholic Church Ankwa in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Reverend Father John Bako Shekwolo.
DAILY POST had reported that Shekwolo was kidnapped in Ankwa, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the early hours of Monday.
The Kaduna State Police Command, while confirming the abduction of the Christian cleric, said a team of policemen, led by the Kachia Divisional Police Officer, some Police Mobile Force personnel and operatives from the command’s anti-Kidnapping unit, had been dispatched to the village to comb the area.
Reacting, the Christian body, in a statement by its state chapter chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, appealed to the kidnappers to release Father Shekwolo unhurt.
CAN also alleged that the government has failed in tackling the security threat.
“CAN condemns the abduction of Reverend Father John Bako Shekwolo, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Ankwa Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“While we note with pains that kidnapping in Kaduna State has become a big business, we appeal to the consciousness of the kidnappers to kindly release Father Shekwolo unhurt.
“It is sad that Kaduna State has become centre of kidnapping with government doing almost nothing to stop it.
“This shows there is governance failure as far as security of lives and properties is concerned.
“Unless we stop playing lips service to issues of security, the evil of kidnapping and other insecurity problems will not stop.
“Government and security agencies must wake up to their full responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of its citizens which is the essence of government existence.
“To the kidnappers, CAN appeal to them to please release the poor and innocent Priest unhurt to the waiting hands of the Church and his family,” the statement read.
