Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday ordered the immediate closure of two churches, a seminary, a hospital and secondary school all in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of the state.
El-Rufai said the closure became necessary so as to avoid the eruption of violence among factions of the congregations whose leaderships’ positions he stressed is, “principally to preserve their personal interests with little concern for the common good, and the peace and security of Kaduna State.”
A statement by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan on Wednesday identified the affected bodies as: Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria, TSNN, Shalom Comprehensive College, Assemblies of God Church, AGC, Nmbare all in Saminaka. The rest are: Assemblies of God Church, Jerusalem, and AGC Evangelist Hospital, also in Saminaka.”
According to the statement, “The Kaduna State Security Council at its 15th meeting, held on the 15th September, 2015, deliberated on the leadership crisis in the Assemblies of God Church, AGC, Saminaka District, Lere local government area of the state.
“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 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.”
The government also warned that anyone found formenting crises in any form across the state would be prosecuted.
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