the closure of Assemblies of God church following leadership crisis by Kaduna govt rocking the church

At its state executive council meeting yesterday, the
Kaduna state government ordered the immediate closure of
the Assemblies of God Church as well as the theological
school and hospital run by the church in AGC Saminaka
District, Lere local government area of the state Kaduna
following the leadership crisis rocking the church. The
order is contained in a statement released and signed by
Governor Nasi El Rufai's spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan.
Read the statement after the cut...

The Kaduna State Security Council at its 15th meeting,
held on the 15th September, 2015, deliberated on the
leadership crisis in the Assemblies of God Church in AGC
Saminaka District, Lere local government area of the
state. The council discussed this matter in the context of
preventing threats to the peace and stability of the State.
The Council noted that the leadership crisis has led to
disintegration of order in the church, and raised tensions
between the followers of the rival camps. The crisis has
also widened to the students of the church-owned school
and seminary, who are now split and divided on factional
lines.
The Council reviewed previous efforts made to resolve the
crisis. It noted that these were aborted by those involved in
the leadership tussle, principally to preserve their personal
interests with little concern for the common good, and the
peace and security of Kaduna State.
The Council unanimously agreed that if left unchecked, the
growing tension may degenerate into total breakdown of
law and order in the said area, with the potential to
spread to other parts of the state.
Therefore, the Council has taken steps to preserve the
peace. It has unanimously directed the immediate closure of
the following:
Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria, (TSNN)
Saminaka.
Shalom Comprehensive College, Saminaka
Assemblies of God Church, Nmbare, Saminaka and
Assemblies of God Church (Jerusalem) Saminaka
AGC Evangelist Hospital, Saminaka
As a result of these measures, those who may be affected
will be admitted into government schools or hospitals, if they
exercise the option.
The Council also directed that the status quo with regard to
farmlands, houses and other assets of the church be upheld
pending resolution of the leadership crisis, which is a matter
before the Supreme Court.
Kaduna State Government wishes to reiterate that it will
not tolerate the use of religion and ethnicity to cause crisis
in the state. The government has also announced that it will
prosecute anyone, no matter his or her standing, that is
implicated in fomenting crisis in whatever form in the
State.
Signed.
Samuel Aruwan
Special Assistant, Media and Publicity
16th September, 2015