Church Services Held Under Tight Security in Kano

Hundreds of Christians in Kano have attended church services amidst tight security provided by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF).

The presence of the JTF in virtually all the churches within and outside the state ensured hitch free Sunday church services.

As early as 6 am, combined teams of security agencies mounted stop and search check-points at all access routes to churches, particularly in Sabon Gari area of the city where most churches are concentrated.

All vehicles plying these routes were stopped and thoroughly screened with metal detectors before being allowed passage, while those established not having any business in the vicinity were diverted to other routes.

We observed that in some places of worship in Sabon Gari, motorbikes were ordered to take other routes, while in some other places leading to churches, they were ordered to disembark and push their motorbikes some distance before mounting them again.

As part of security measures, some churches lined up sand filled drums at the entrance of their gates to prevent possible suicide car attacks, while the JTF also stationed armoured personnel carriers 500 metres away from the churches.

Our correspondent learnt that plain clothes operatives were present at most of the churches, while a helicopter was also seen keeping surveillance from the sky.

The security guard of the churches were seeing searching bags, and rolling detecting machines on anybody entering the churches, as fierce looking soldiers, and policemen are on standby watching.

The State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kano, Bishop Ransom Bello expressed optimistic over the proactive measures taken by the security agencies to protect the lives of the people in the state.

He also commended both the Christians and Muslims, for their collective and concerted prayers, noting that the gesture has continued peaceful co-existence across the state.

The CAN Chairman noted that the scriptures say: "Hard period can never last forever; after darkness, God would surely bring light".