The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago has condemned the looting and burning of the Redeemed Christain Church of God in Kontagora area of the State on Saturday. Bago described the act as “mindless and cowardly act.”
According to the Premium Times, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, (Champion Zonal Headquarters) located along the Federal College of Education (FCE) Road in Kontagora was looted and set afire in the early hours of Saturday.
“The Church was reported to have suffered a similar fate 10 years ago. That was after unidentified hoodlums reportedly warned that its building should not be completed.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State, Bulus Yohanna, immediately condemned the latest incident.
He described the act as barbaric and uncalled for. The Chairman, therefore, called on the Government to take proper action and ensure the culprits are brought to book.
His statement read, “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 tension that may want to escalate beyond control.”
“We are hoping that the law will take its course. Issues like this must be tamed. And people who have done this should be fished out and made to face the law.”
Narrating how the incident happened, an assistant pastor in the church, Samson Ogbebor, said the incident occurred around 3 a.m. 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 its property looted by hoodlums.
“This Church has faced lots of challenges. Sometimes, about 10 years ago, hoodlums burned it down completely. But with self-effort, we could erect it again.
“They made several unsuccessful attempts and have refused us permission to roof it properly. And we decided to use it like that for worship. But look at what they have done today again.”
An elder in the Church, John Aboje, said the incident would not deter members. He stated that members, instead, would continue to be good Christians and citizens of the country, Premium Times reported.
“We just want the Government and the Emirate to look into this very issue to allow freedom of worship,” Aboje said.
The coordinator of CAN in Kontagora, Musa Gado, while condemning the act said he was happy that the association did not support the #EndBadGovernance protest in the State.
“If they had, by now we would have been counting our losses. This is because these hoodlums would have seized the opportunity to cause havoc on innocent lives and properties.”
Gado, however, encouraged the parishioners and all Christians to remain calm and peaceful. He urged them to seek God’s face as they continued their worship.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Governor, Bago condemned the attack on the Church facility. According to him, the barbaric act of the hoodlums was not only an attack on the Christian community but also a direct insult to the peace and unity of Niger State.
He said, “We 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.”
Baago, therefore, ordered the security agencies to conduct an immediate and complete inquiry into the incident.
“We are convinced that the perpetrators of this horrible incident will be quickly discovered and prosecuted,” he said.
“My administration would ensure 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.”
Governor Bago also advised the people to continue to collaborate and coexist in order to preserve peace and togetherness in Nigeria.
He pointed that his government would take necessary precautions to protect all houses of worship and to prevent a reoccurrence of the Kontagora incident.
Bago urged citizens to be watchful and report suspicious activity to the authorities.
He said, “Together, we can avoid further occurrences of such heinous atrocities and maintain the tranquility that we all seek.”
“We support the members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the broader Christian community during this terrible time.”
source: Premium Times
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