The 24th edition of the Annual Southern Kaduna Prayer Summit was held on Saturday, with a call on churches and mosques in the area to defend themselves against attacks.

The summit is convened annually by the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association (SKCLA).

No fewer than 177 worshippers were abducted from three churches in the zone on January 18.

Speaking at the event in Kafanchan, Emmanuel Kure, SKCLA chairman, explained that worship centres were sacred places that must be protected.

According to him, churches must complement the government’s efforts by implementing robust security measures to safeguard their premises.

“We must take immediate steps and not create an environment for this kind of thing to recur. We are calling upon all churches and mosques alike to rise up and do the needful to secure their places of worship.

“The youth organisations in our worship centres must come together to protect these places so that we can prevent what happened in Kajuru,” he added.

Mr Kure called on the government to intensify efforts to secure the quick release of the abducted Kajuru worshippers.

He tasked the Southern Kaduna elites on the need to establish industries that would provide employment to the teeming youths in the area.

In his goodwill message, Daniel Amos, the member representing Jema’a and Sanga Federal Constituency, described Southern Kaduna as a rich land with immense potential.

Mr Amos urged Christians and religious leaders in Southern Kaduna to deepen their prayers for Nigeria’s peace, stability, and development, especially as the country approaches another election year.

Highlights of the occasion included the ministration of songs and prayers for the land, as well as the inauguration of the new executives of SKCLA.