Kaduna closes Assemblies of God church ‘to avert crisis’

The Kaduna state government has ordered the immediate closure of the Assemblies of God Church in AGC Saminaka district in the Lere local government area of the state.

According to Samuel Aruwan, special adviser to the governor of the state on media and publicity, the decision was taken to avert crisis as a result of the leadership crisis rocking the church.

Aruwan said the state security council held a meeting on the crisis on Tuesday and discovered that the disagreement in the church could lead to 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,” Aruwan said in a statement.

“The crisis has also widened to the students of the church-owned school and seminary, who are now split and divided on factional lines.

“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.

“Therefore, the council has taken steps to preserve the peace. It has unanimously directed the immediate closure of the following:

“Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria, (TSNN) Saminaka; Shalom Comprehensive College, Saminaka Assemblies of God Church, Nmbare, Saminaka and Assemblies of God Church (Jerusalem) Saminaka; AGC Evangelist Hospital, Saminaka.”

The statement added that those affected by the development will be admitted into government schools or hospitals.

“As a result of these measures, those who may be affected will be admitted into government schools or hospitals, if they exercise the option,” the statement read.

“The council also directed that the status quo with regard to farmlands, houses and other assets of the church be upheld pending resolution of the leadership crisis, which is a matter before the supreme court.

“The government has also announced that it will prosecute anyone, no matter his or her standing, that is implicated in fomenting crisis in whatever form in the state.”