29th November, 2021
Terrorists have written to the Christian community in Zamfara State, to close churches or risk ferocious attacks.
The threat was said to have emanated from a Fulani terrorist gang.
Zamfara State police command has confirmed the threat, with a spokesman saying: “We are on top of the threat.”
Spokesperson for the command, DSP Mohammed Shehu, told Sahara Reporters:“Yes, I can confirm that it’s true, a threat letter was sent to the Christians in Zamfara State to stop worship and to close churches.
“Actually the police informed the Christian leaders about the threat.
“Accordingly the CP has invited the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state to discuss security measures around the churches.
“In that regard, a special squad has been created by the CP to patrol and protect worshippers, especially on Sundays.
“Additionally, plain-clothes personnel have been deployed for intelligence gathering and to unravel those behind the threat letter,” he said.
On Sunday, a Christian leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had requested prayers from Christians around the world in respect to their plight in Zamfara and other parts of northern Nigeria.
He said; “Let’s pray for Christians in Northern Nigeria, especially in Zamfara State as we are issued a three-year ultimatum to close all churches in the state.
Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) in Zamfara State has also directed all churches not to hold church activities beyond 5pm for the next three months,” he said.
Zamfara was the first Nigerian state that proclaimed Sharia law in 1999, with some northern also joining its bandwagon.
The state has also been the theatre of terrorism, kidnapping, killings and maiming.
In the same state in 2012, Christians were given a three-day ultimatum to leave. But the threat was not carried out.
The new threat comes some two weeks after the United States delisted Nigeria from its black book of religious intolerant nations
“It is saddening that in this light, Secretary of State Blinken’s gaffe is likely to have even deadlier consequences than imagined”, said rights activist, Emmanuel Ogebe.