Six months after bandits abducted over 170 worshippers during attacks on three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Northern Christian Association (NCA), with support from Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, has donated a borehole to the community, bringing much-needed relief to residents still recovering from the traumatic incident. Speaking during the commissioning of the borehole at the weekend, Chairman of NCA, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, described the project as a practical demonstration of love and solidarity with a community that has endured both insecurity and years of neglect.
He said the decision to provide the borehole followed a visit by members of the association shortly after the attack, during which they discovered that residents lacked access to clean and potable water.
Hayab explained that after sharing the community’s plight with partners, Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, led by its Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Odukoya, offered to support the intervention.
“We are here because our brothers and sisters in Kurmin Wali were attacked some months ago, and many worshippers in three churches were taken away. Though they were later rescued and returned home, we noticed a major gap in the community: there was no basic amenity for people to enjoy.
“As we continued to speak about their plight, brethren from the Fountain of Life Church in Lagos, through their Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Odukoya, reached out and offered to help. When the community informed us that access to water was one of their greatest needs, we immediately swung into action,” he said.
Hayab noted that the borehole would significantly improve residents’ living conditions, particularly for women and children who previously had to travel long distances to fetch water.
According to him, although the association’s resources are limited, it remains committed to restoring hope in vulnerable communities and calls on well-meaning Nigerians, faith-based organisations and philanthropists to partner in expanding humanitarian interventions.
Hayab also urged the Kaduna State government to fulfil its commitments to Kurmin Wali after the attack.
He recalled that government officials had visited the community and promised projects, including a hospital, a military base, and road construction, but none had been delivered.
“This is a wake-up call. If promises are made to people who are already in pain, such promises should be fulfilled. We believe the Government can still come and deliver on the commitments made to this community,” he said.
Also speaking, the Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, thanked the Northern Christian Association and Fountain of Life Church for identifying with the community at a difficult time.
He, however, lamented that residents had yet to see the Government’s promises implemented after the attack.
“When the incident happened, the Government promised us a hospital, a military base and road construction, but till now we have not seen any of them. We know the Government has many responsibilities, but we are appealing for assistance because of our peculiar situation”.
