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Killings: God’ll Fight For Southern Kaduna People, Christians Insist …Coalition Seeks Parade Of Suspects
Christians at a prayer meeting, yesterday, declared that God will fight all perpetrating unwarranted attacks on Southern Kaduna communities.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State chapter had commenced a one month interdenominational prayers every Sunday tagged, ‘Black Sunday’, against the continued attacks and unwarranted killings in Southern Kaduna.
The prayers, which held at the Evangelical Winning All Church (ECWA) Narayi High Cost, yesterday, attracted Christians in thousands, all adorned in black attires.
They engaged in fervent prayers for peace in Nigeria, Kaduna State and Southern Kaduna.
Various pastors took turn to lead the congregation in sessions of prayers against the killings.
They asked God to intervene and restore peace in all the troubled areas and fight the battles of the helpless.
The President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (HEKAN), Rev Amos G. Kiri, who took his reading from Psalms 46 vs 1- 11, charged the congregation not to be weary with the happenings but raise their voices to God in prayers.
He noted any government that is not worried about the well-being of her citizens does not deserve to be called a government, and challenged Christians in government to speak against all forms of injustice against the church in Nigeria.
“Insensitive government and leaders must wake up from their slumber, government must listen to our cry, the killings in southern Kaduna must stop, enough is enough and what is good for the goose should be good for the gander”, he said.
The Chairman, Kaduna Chapter of CAN, Rev Joseph Hayab, called for continued prayers for God to expose those behind the killings.
He called on Christian leaders with specific mention of Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor Paul Eneche and many others to speak up and not keep quiet against the killings.
The President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Hon. Jonathan Asake, thanked the church for standing with them in prayers.
He said the killings must not be given political colouration but condemned as a crime against humanity.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups, Southern Kaduna Indigenous Peace Practitioners (SOKIPEP), has called for the immediate parade and prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the killings in the southern part of Kaduna State.
The coalition also lauded the efforts of the military for the number of arrest made so far in the attacks.
The civil society groups, in a statement by its Coordinator, Rev Dr Dauda Fadia, yesterday, appealed to the military to hand over the suspected militia members in their custody to the Police for immediate parade and prosecution.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene