Bishop, Pastor, 2 children still in captivity of kidnappers, CAN says

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Joseph Hayab is lamenting the continued abduction of a Bishop, a Pastor and two children kidnapped in the state about three weeks ago.

Rev. Hayab who issued a statement on the matter on Monday said that despite several efforts made by CAN in the state to ensure that the kidnappers released the pastor and two children of the bishop kidnapped recently, the victims were still in their captivity.

He also added in the statement personally signed by him, that the families of the victims are helpless and traumatised that their loved ones have not been released three weeks after they were abducted.

Rev. Hayab said; “Rev. Elisha Numan of Baptist Church Angwan Makeri and the two children of one of our Bishops in Kaduna are still in the hands of kidnappers.”

According to him, “They were abducted about three weeks ago and are still being held in captivity till date. The church and their families are helpless and traumatised.

“We are once again calling on security agencies to do the needful and help secure our people.

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“Weeks ago, when CAN cried out against the evil being unleashed on our people by these kidnappers, some funny people, using religious cover, were sponsored to malign and accuse CAN of beating the war drum.

“Thankfully, every peace-loving person knew that they were sponsored to divert attention to the real issues bedevilling the people.

“The pains of knowing your love one has been captured by kidnappers and you cannot do anything and no one is saying anything or consoling you, is excruciating.

“How can citizens have faith and trust in their government when they suffer and they are coerced to keep silence?

“When we cry out, we are doing so as a wake up call and also extending invitation to those who share in our pains to join us cry out for justice.

“We want to appeal to these kidnappers to fear God and release Rev. Elisha Numan and the two children of our Bishop.

“Rev Elisha was sick when he was kidnapped and we are afraid about his health. The son of our Bishop is just 9 years old. He is not strong and mature to go through this torture.

“We are appealing that these inocent people be release. For those who see the cries of CAN as politics, we forgive them for their ignorance or greed and pray that they will not be ashame and afraid to cry out when someone close to them becomes a victim,” Hayab added.

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