Christian clerics in Kaduna have faulted the plan by the Kaduna State government to spend N100 million on the rehabilitation of churches and mosques destroyed by armed Fulani herdsmen in Southern Kaduna communities.

They urged Governor Nasir El-Rufai to rather use the money meant for this purpose to reinforce the security of lives and property in the affected areas.

Governor El-Rufai had announced plans by the state government to provide N100 million for the reconstruction of damaged churches and mosques in some communities in Southern Kaduna after the violence unleashed on the area.

During a press conference by the 19 District Church Council (DCC) fellowship of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Church yesterday, the clerics said instead of the state government rehabilitating churches and mosques in the crisis-ridden communities, efforts should be made to secure the lives and property of the people against further attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

The Chairman of the 19 DCC of ECWA Church, Rev. Zachariah Gado, said: “We acknowledged the gesture of the governor in offering N100 million for the rebuilding of churches and mosques destroyed in Southern Kaduna, but we wonder who would worship in these churches since most of the worshippers have fled for fear of their safety or they do not even have homes anymore to live in.”

He said the only way the government could ensure normalcy in Southern Kaduna communities was to reinforce security so that the people could live in peace and return to their normal businesses.

“We appeal to the state government, in the interest of justice, peace and security to respect the wishes of Southern Kaduna and their elected representatives and stop the creation of grazing reserves in the area, especially since this is tantamount to rewarding perpetrators of murder, arson and destruction of property,” he stated.