Source: www.worthynews.com
Date: August 14, 2024
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ABUJA (Worthy News) – The governor of Nigeria’s north-central Niger state has asked residents to remain calm and cautioned against reprisal attacks after arsonists destroyed a major evangelical church building over the weekend.
Investigators said the Redeemed Christian Church of God situated along Federal College of Education (FCE) road in Kontagora town was set ablaze early Saturday.
The suspects reportedly looted the church before setting the worship center ablaze.
It was the second such incident after the Church was burnt down ten years ago by unidentified attackers who warned that the church building should not be completed.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter, Bulus Yohanna, condemned the incident by the unidentified arsonists.
The chairman of CAN, which unites different denominations, said the recent attack was “a painful” warning to the Christian community.
He added that the government needs to take “proper action” by ensuring the culprits are arrested.
The governor said, “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.”
Yet, “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,” Yohanna added.
It was the latest incident in a nation where thousands of Christians have been killed in a massive campaign of violence, often by Islamic fighters or associates.