CHURCHES in KATSINA – With the nationwide hunger protest in its Day 4, records of vandalism, looting and destruction of property in most States across the country are starting to come in.
In Katsina State, reports state that hoodlums invaded a Living Faith Church in Daura Local Government Area of the State. They were said to have looted about 205 chairs, musical instruments, and other valuable items worth millions of naira belong to the Church.
According to the resource, the attacks took place in the wake of #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests on Thursday.
Recall that violent clashes between hoodlums and security operatives occurred in the State.
The pastor in charge of the Church, David Jato, who disclosed this to LEADERSHIP on Sunday, lamented the looting.
Jato stated that they couldn’t hold Sunday service in the auditorium of the church because the hoodlums went away with everything.
He explained, “We have two security men working in the church. One was on duty while the other was off. When the protest began around 10:00am, the hoodlums just diverted to the church. Many of them in Keke NAPEP (Tricycle). They broke the doors and classes and penetrated the church auditorium.
“They packed everything inside the church auditorium. Including the wall digital clock, musical instruments, pupit, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs, and a desktop computer at the reception. As well as a scoreboard where the accountant usually kept church documents. They scattered everything.”
Jato added that three churches were targeted but the hoodlums only succeeded in invading the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life Church.
He maintained that they couldn’t force themselves into the Anglican Church because of the strong iron protector at the gate.
“We’ve informed the police and the Army about it. The police told us yesterday that they have made some arrests.
“I’m surprised by this attack. When we are thinking about ending bad governance, which now escalated to the invasion of churches. It is something that everyone should seriously condemn. It is not food that we store in the House of God. The Church is a place of worship. Why is it only church? The government should come to the reality they are serving humanity. And God will judge us all, whether political or religious leaders.
“My prayer to the perpetrators is that they should repent from what they are doing. Because for you to enter church, a place of worship, is wrong. And you know you are not fighting man, they should seek for repentance. I know God is forgiving and He will forgive them,” he added.
In a related development, a church is named ‘Power of Resurrection’, was also looted in Katsina town.
This was disclosed by the former State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Very Rev. Nelson Onyekachuku. He said the hoodlums vandalized the church windows, but they couldn’t enter because of the iron protectors of the gate and windows.
Onyekachuku, however, condemned the action of the vandals. He lamented that the hoodlums should not add pains to the church.
The former CAN Chairman, therefore, called on the Government to change its policy and to address the grievances of the people. He called on the Government to always ensure to protect the church whenever such an incident happens.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sadiq Abubakar, has not issued any statement to that effect.
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
