Police Reacts To Letter Of Threat To Attack Churches In Zamfara

The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has said it was true that churches in Gusau were issued letters of threats of attack by unidentified persons.

Confirming the said letters in a statement obtained by Naija News earlier today, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayuba Elkanah, said the force is yet to identify the source of the letters but that necessary actions have been taken.

Elkanah noted that a copy of the letter was dropped at the police command headquarters on Tuesday by unknown persons.

The police mouthpiece, however, assured the Christian community in the state of the force commitment to give them maximum security.

He also assured the Muslim faithful that security personnel would be deployed to mosques from next Friday, same as to Churches on their worship days.

He said: “We are yet to ascertain where the letter came from, but considering the current situation in the country, we will not just sit down and overlook the content of the letter.

“We are going to deploy adequate security to all churches and even mosques during prayer sessions and services.

“I have directed that adequate security personnel should be deployed to churches and even the mosques from next Friday.”

Naija News had reported earlier that unknown individuals suspected to be bandit terrorists have written a letter to the Christian community in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, asking them to shut down their churches or risk attacks.

The threat letter was also confirmed by the Zamfara State Police Command who insisted that they are “on top” of the matter.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Mohammed Shehu, told Sahara Reporters that the police were aware of the threat letter from the suspected bandits.

He said, “Yes, I can confirm that it’s true, a threat letter was sent to the Christians in Zamfara State to stop worship and to close churches.

“Actually the police informed the Christian leaders about the threat.

“Accordingly the CP has invited the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state to discuss security measures around the churches.

“In that regard, a special squad has been created by the CP to patrol and protect worshippers, especially on Sundays.

“Additionally, plain-clothes personnel have been deployed for intelligence gathering and to unravel those behind the threat letter.”