Arsonists set Redeemed Church ablaze in Niger

There is freedom of worship in Niger state- CAN Chairman

Worshippers of Redeemed Christian Church of God (Champion Zonal Headquarters) situated along Federal College of Education (FCE) road in Kontagora could not have their Sunday service after suspected arsonists in the early hours of today set the church building ablaze.

The Church, it was reliably gathered was ten years ago burnt down by unidentified hoodlums who had warned that the church building should not be completed.

In a swift reaction, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna condemned the incident.

The State CAN Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese while describing the incident as barbaric and uncalled for, said it was a painful thing to the Christian community adding that the government needs to take proper action by ensuring the culprits are brought to book.

According to him “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 3am 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.”

Also, an Elder in the church, Mr John Aboje disclosed that they have no cause to be deterred by the incident but to continue to be good Christians and citizens of the country.

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

While appealing to Governor Umaru Bago, the Emir of Kontagora, Alh. 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, VeryRev. Fr. Musa John Gado while commending the efforts of Governor 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 lives and properties.”

He encouraged the parishioners and all Christians to remain calm, peaceful and seek the face of God as they continue with their worship, adding that the issue will be reported to the state CAN for onward action.