The Kaduna State Government, on Sunday said three suspects have been arrested in connection to Friday’s arson attack on St. Augustine Catholic Church, Tudun-Wada Kaduna

A statement by the government spokesman, Samuel Aruwa, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday, said full investigation had commenced on the incident and those indicated will be prosecuted.

The government commended the resilience of the Church congregation “who today held their usual Sunday service in spite of the arson attack”, and said their courage “is a loud rebuke to violence and bigotry, and a firm affirmation of the right to worship.”

The government also commended students of Kaduna Polytechnic who put out the Friday night fire which burnt the altar of the church.

“The government further thanked the management of Kaduna Polytechnic for deploying firefighters to the scene when students raised the alarm of fire in the the premises of the Church which shares a fence with the institution.

“A state government team, led by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman of Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, has visited the church and conveyed the government’s message of sympathy to the priests and congregation.

“Aruwan also represented the government at a meeting held at Ungwan Sanusi Divisional Police Headquarters, with representatives of the church, led by Rev. Father Anthony Ikhenoba, Dean Northern Deanery, Dr. Daniel Attar, Chairman Parish Council and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Mohammed Yusuf.

“The state government has also been in touch with the leadership of the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese which has responded to the sad incident, appreciate with commendable grace and a firm expectation of justice.

“The state government calls on all residents of the state to uphold peace and harmony, reject those who seek to divide and report anyone engaged in violence.” (Independent)

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