“We Have Paid Over N300 Million in Ransom, Yet Over 50 Are Still Held” – ECWA General Secretary

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has revealed that it has paid over N300 million in ransom to kidnappers to secure the release of its members, with negotiations still ongoing for about 50 others who remain in captivity. The church said its members in Kaduna and Plateau States have become primary targets for kidnappers, expressing deep sorrow over the increasing wave of violent attacks.

Speaking to journalists at his office in Jos, ECWA General Secretary, Rev. Ayuba Asheshe, described the situation as part of a broader crisis of banditry, kidnapping, and militia violence that demands urgent intervention from government authorities and all stakeholders. He reported that Kwassam DCC in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been devastated by relentless banditry and abductions, resulting in the deaths of over 20 people. Despite the heavy financial burden, with more than N300 million already spent on ransom payments, over 50 individuals connected to the church are still being held by kidnappers, leaving many families financially and emotionally shattered.

Rev. Asheshe also reported that the Binawa LCC of ECWA Saminaka DCC in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State recently suffered a brutal attack. On the night of February 4, 2025, three communities – Majagada 2, Majagada 1, and Tsohon Garin Binawa – were attacked, leading to the kidnapping of 16 people, the killing of six, and injuries to four others. These attacks have left the affected communities in deep mourning and fear, underlining the vulnerability of ECWA members in the region.

He pointed out that the incidents in Kwassam and Binawa are just two examples among the numerous kidnapping and violence cases impacting ECWA members nationwide. He also recalled a tragic incident during an Easter Monday celebration in Biliri, Gombe State, where a trailer truck lost control and rammed into a procession of Christians, killing five and injuring many others.

Rev. Asheshe raised further alarm over escalating violence in Plateau State, which he said is being carried out by Fulani militia and their sponsors against defenseless communities. On April 2, 2025, Hurti Village in the Manguna District of Bokkos LGA suffered an unprovoked attack that left 40 people dead, including two ECWA pastors. About 240 houses were set ablaze, and large quantities of food and valuable materials were looted or destroyed, with many villagers still missing. Similarly, in the early hours of April 14, 2025, the Zike and Kimakpa communities in Kwall District of Bassa LGA were attacked, resulting in the deaths of 50 people, including women and children, with 10 others sustaining injuries. Homes, household items, and farmlands were destroyed, leaving survivors in a state of despair.

The General Secretary expressed ECWA’s profound pain over the growing insecurity and the immense suffering endured by its members. He warned about the long-term impacts on food security and the general well-being of affected communities if urgent action is not taken. Rev. Asheshe called on the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to act swiftly and decisively to end the violence, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure peace and security in the rural areas. He also appealed for immediate relief and resettlement support for displaced persons and urged the international community, human rights organizations, and global church bodies to raise their voices in solidarity with the suffering people of Plateau State and Nigeria.

In his closing remarks, the ECWA General Secretary encouraged all communities to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard themselves while efforts to restore lasting peace continue.