The leadership of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG Champion Zonal Headquarters) in Niger has cried out as some unidentified hoodlums allegedly set ablaze a church, located along Federal College of Education (FCE) road in Kontagora Local Government Area in the early hours of Saturday, August 10.

It was reported 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.

He, 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.

According to the Cleric, “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.”

When contacted, an Assistant Pastor of the church, Pastor Samson Ogbebor said the incident occurred around 3:00 am on Saturday.

According to him “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, 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,” he lamented

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.

Accordingly, he said, “We just want the government and the Kontagora emirate council to look into this very issue to allow freedom of worship”.

While appealing to the State Governor, Umaru Bago; the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammadu Barau Mu’azu II and all relevant security agencies to treat the incident with all seriousness, he said, “the incident has been reported to the Division ‘A’ Police station in Kontagora for investigation and to bring the perpetrators to book.

Reacting earlier, the Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kontagora, Very Rev. Fr. Musa John Good commended the efforts of Governor Umaru Bago and the State CAN Chairman, Most Rev (Dr) Bulus Dauwa Yohanna and other stakeholders who did not support the #EndBadGorvernance Protest#, said “by now, we would have been counting our losses because these hoodlums would have seized the opportunity to cause havoc on innocent citizens and properties.”

He encouraged the parishioners and all Christians in the state and in Kontagora Emirate in particular, to remain calm, and peaceful and seek the face of God as they continue with their worship, stressing, that the issue will be reported to the state CAN for onward action. (Sunday Tribune: Text, Excluding Headline)

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