Hoodlums set Redeemed Church ablaze in Niger

• …Bago, CAN condemn act

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, the champion zonal headquarters in Kontagora has been set ablaze by hoodlums.

The incident occured on Saturday morning ten years after the church was burnt by unknown persons who had warned that the church should not be reconstructed in the environment.

According to the assistant pastor of the church, Pastor Samson Ogbebor, the hoodlums besieged the church around 3 am and burnt down the church adding that the church has been facing threats from u known persons over the years.

“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.

“This church has faced lots of challenges. 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”, he lamented. 

Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has described the burning of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kontagora, as mindless and cowardly adding that the act is not only an attack on the Christian community, but also a direct affront to the peace and unity being experienced in Niger State.

“We totally condemn this act and tell our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as other Niger State inhabitants, that the government prioritizes their safety, security, and freedom of religion. Our state utilizes its diversity and the peaceful coexistence of all religious and ethnic groups. We will not condone this stupid act of violence”, he said in a statement signed by his special adviser on print media, Aisha Wakaso. 

The governor has directed all relevant security agencies conduct an immediate and complete inquiry into this occurrence assuring that the perpetrators would be found and prosecuted. 

“The administration will see that those involved are punished to the fullest extent of the law. We urge the people of Kontagora and Niger State to be calm and refrain from revenge or violence. Let us continue to collaborate to preserve the peace and togetherness that define our magnificent state. The government will continue to take all necessary precautions to protect all houses of worship and prevent such a regrettable occurrence from occurring againx, he added. 

The Niger state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna condemned the incident by the unidentified arsonists describing the incident as barbaric and uncalled for.

He said it was a painful thing to the Christian community adding that the government need to bring the perpetrators 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.

“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.”

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