Some unidentified hoodlums have burnt down the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Champion Zonal Headquarters) located along Federal College of Education (FCE) road in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, August 10, 2024.
It was gathered that the same church had been burnt down 10 years ago by unidentified hoodlums who had warned that the church building should not be completed.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, condemned the incident by the suspected arsonists
Yohanna, who also serves as the Bishop of the Diocese of Kontagora Catholic Church, described the incident as barbaric and uncalled for.
He emphasized the need for the government to take proper action by ensuring that the culprits are brought to book.
“There is freedom of worship in Niger state, I am sure by the time the government and security agencies take action, it will go a long way to address any form of tension that may want to escalate beyond control,” he said.
“We are hoping that the law will take its course. To be frank, issues like this must be tamed and people who have done this should be fished out and made to face the law
An Assistant Pastor of the church, Pastor Samson Ogbebor, said the incident occurred around 3:00 am on Saturday.
“I got a distress call that our Church was on fire and on getting there I met a church that has been in existence for the past 20 years being burnt down and properties looted by hoodlums,” he told the Nigerian Tribune.
“This Church has faced lots of challenges, sometimes about 10 years ago, hoodlums came and burnt it down completely and with self -efforts, we were able to erect it again.
“They had made several unsuccessful attempts and have refused us the permission to roof it properly and we decided to be using it like that for worship but look at what they have done today again.”
Also, an Elder in the church, Mrm John Aboje disclosed that they have no cause to be deterred by the incident but to continue to be good Christians and citizens of Nigeria.
“We just want the government and the Kontagora emirate council to look into this very issue to allow freedom of worship”.
Reacting, the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammadu Barau Mu’azu II, appealed to the State Governor, Umaru Bago; and all relevant security agencies to treat the incident with all seriousness.
“The incident has been reported to the Division ‘A’ Police station in Kontagora for investigation and to bring the perpetrators to book,” the monarch said.
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