•’It’s not true’
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State has accused the police of trying to create a religious crisis, following the invasion of a church on Sunday during service.
The police in Jere, Kagarko Local Government, were said to have invaded a church on Sunday in search of Ayuba Daro Kakaraka, who was allegedly involved in the attack on the Emir of Jere, Dr. Sa’ad Usman, on January 3.
CAN Secretary Rev. Sunday Ibrahim condemned the disruption of service at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Issah Makaranta.
“I wish to condemn the unacceptable invasion of ECWA Church in Issah Makaranta on Sunday.
“The police came to the church, shooting indiscriminately. All this was under the cover of looking for a suspect.
“Thank God that one of the policemen, who was apprehended by the youths, has been released to the Army.
“The pastor, Rev. Ibrahim Ejims, was harassed and dragged out for questioning.
“We do not know who they are doing this to please, but we condemn this act.
“We are briefing our lawyers over this matter.
“If by the end of this week, the police do not write us an apology letter, we shall interpret it as a declaration of war on Christians in Issah.”
Reliving the ordeal, Ejims said: “When the church secretary finished taking the announcement, I mounted the podium to preach the sermon.
“Suddenly, there was a commotion outside, armed policemen just barged into the church.
“Members scampered for safety because we also heard gun shots outside.
“In fact, there was a stampede and some children were hurt. In no time, the church was deserted. I was confused.
“I came outside and saw that the youths engaged some of the policemen in a fight. A policeman was caught.
“I pleaded for his release and begged that he should not be maltreated. It was a rowdy scene.
“After a while, some soldiers came with some policemen. One of the policemen had a horsewhip. He threatened to flog me, if I didn’t tell them where his colleague was.
“They came in seven trucks and parked on the church premises.
“The village head of Issah, who is also the church treasurer, approached them, and pleaded that they should not harm me and that he can trace where the policeman was taken to.
“They left me, and eventually found the youths, who handed over the policeman and his rifle.
“I believe that their action was just to terrorise us. If not so, why could they not inform me of their intention, and wait till after the service?
“If they are actually looking for a suspect, don’t they know his home and other places he visits? I believe that the police are being used for a religious war.”
But the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Adenaike, denied the claim.
He said his men never stepped into any church and therefore could not have disrupted any service.
“We cannot enter a church or mosque to stop anyone from praying,” he said.
Adenaike phoned the Jere Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Abubakar Mohammed Sani, to give his version of the story. He put the phone on speaker.
The DCO said: “We were informed about the presence of a suspect, Ayuba Daro Kakaraka, in his house. So we went in two cars and our operational van behind us.
“When he sighted us, he ran into a church. That was what caused the panic.
“Some youths later came for us, and we ran. But one of us was apprehended.
“Thankfully, the elders intervened and we secured his release. But no policeman stepped into any church,” he said.
