16th September, 2015
Femi Adi/Kaduna
The Governor Nasir El-Rufa led Kaduna State Government Wednesday ordered the immediate closure of two churches, two schools and a hospital at Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area over brewing leadership crisis rocking the churches.
The affected churches and missionary schools Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria (TSNN), Saminaka; Shalom Comprehensive College, Saminaka; Assemblies of God Church, Nmbare, Saminaka, Assemblies of God Church (Jerusalem), Saminaka; and AGC Evangelist Hospital, Saminaka.
The state government noted that the leadership crisis had led to a break down of law order in the churches, raised tensions between the followers of the rival camps and enveloped students of the church-owned schools and seminary.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, said the Kaduna State Security Council at its 15th meeting held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, deliberated on the leadership crisis in the Assemblies of God Church in AGC Saminaka District, Lere local government area of the state in the context of preventing threats to the peace and stability of the state.
It was against this background that security council meeting reviewed previous efforts made and resolved to take precautionary steps to preserve peace, hence the decision to close down the affected churches and schools.
It also stated that it took the decision out of concern for the common good and the peace and security of Kaduna State.
The state government also emphasised that if the crisis is 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.
However, as a result of these measures, the students affected will be admitted into government schools.
The government directed that the status quo with regard to farmlands, houses and other assets of the church remain pending the resolution of the leadership crisis, which is a matter before the Supreme Court.
While reiterating that it will not tolerate the use of religion and ethnicity to cause crisis in the state, the government equally stressed that it will prosecute anyone, no matter his or her standing, that foments crisis in whatever form in the state.