The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA has contacted the Federal Government to stop the ‘Jihad’ motion in some parts of Kaduna State which have actually caused the kidnapping and killing of numerous locals especially, Christians.

The rights group made the call on Monday while responding to the abduction of a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Joseph Shekari of St Monica Catholic Parish, Ikulu Feri in Kauru Local Government Area of the state.

DAILY POST had reported that the kidnappers who are yet to be recognized, have demanded the sum of 60 million naira ransom for the release of the Christian clergy.

Responding, in a declaration provided and made available to DAILY POST on Monday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA required the instant release of the priest, stressing that federal government officials can guaranteeing his genuine release.

HURIWA regreted the perpetual attacks on Christians in some parts of Northern Nigeria, alleging that “armed Islamists, masquerading as Fulani herdsmen” have actually continued to attack Christians in the northern states.

The declaration reads, “We entirely and completely condemn the current abduct of a Catholic reverend father in southern Kaduna state which took place about 24 hours earlier. We ask that President Mohammed Buhari and the guv of Kaduna State take actions to ensure that the continuous attacks and violence unleashed on the people of southern Kaduna who are mostly Christians stops.

“We condemn the kidnap of Rev. Father Joseph Shekari, the parish priest of St Monica Catholic Church Ikulu Feri in Kauru Local Government Area and the killing of Steward. We request his instant and genuine release and we know that federal government officials have methods to get him released.

“These constant attacks on Christians is a verification that there is an ongoing genocide in Southern Kaduna and a lot more other places in the northern Nigerian territory including Plateau State where Christians control numerically.

“There is a jihad to depopulate Christians. Government should examine this and apprehend the wrongdoers and bring them before a proficient court of law.

“It is truth that Christians are specifically targeted by armed Islamists masquerading as Fulani ranchers to attack Christians in the northern states where they (Christians) are the bulk in regards to population, such states are Taraba, Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Benue.

“It should be made absolutely clear that HURIWA remains in no way implicating President Muhammadu Buhari of direct involvement in the killing of Christians in Northern Nigeria. We recognise that President Muhammadu Buhari is peace-loving.

“This is the reason that we have consistently contacted President Muhammadu Buhari as the father of the Nation to secure Christians who are in Northern Nigeria and his constituents as followers of all arranged and non-orthodox religious beliefs including ATHEISTS.

“A great deal of those Fulani groups identifying themselves as ‘Miyetti Allah Cattle sellers’ are the people responsible for the attacks on Christians.

“In the last year, a number of priests and seminarians, along with pastors from other Christian denominations, have been kidnapped in Nigeria, some for ransom, and some by Islamist militant and terrorist groups”.

HURIWA tasked the Nigerian federal government to implement all steps to mark out the sectarian violence targeting Christians.