Some suspected hoodlums in Niger state have burnt down the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Kontagora LGA of Niger state.
It was learnt that the burning down of the worship facility happened in the evening hours of Saturday when worshipers were preparing the building for Sunday worship.
According to reports available to newsmen, the handlooms who had arrived at the church with different bad intentions first looted the church building of all the church properties before setting it ablaze, with residents astonished by the criminal act.
Confirming the act on Sunday, the governor of the state, Umar Bago, noted in a statement that the attackers’ actions were an act of cowardness and mindlessness.
He noted that the act threatened the peace of the community, establishing that such an occurrence threatens the peace and stability of the community and the state at large.
The governor assured the residents that the peace and stability of all residents is the highest priority of the government, noting the freedom of worship in the state is for religion and all inhabitants and live in peace without any form of fear.
He explained that the diversity in religion and tribes in the state has been utilised at every instance for the development of the state, noting no act of violence will be tolerated in the state by any handloom or group of persons who want to put the state into an instability.
He said relevant security operatives have been directed to carry out an investigation into the incident, adding that those behind the act will be apprehended and punished.
The governor further charged residents in the state to remain calm, be tolerant, and not use laws to conduct any form of reprisal attack, which could create more tension in the state.
He pledged to take further critical steps to prevent attacks of this kind from being repeated in the state, noting that worship centres will be protected with utmost security.
He charged all residents to always be proactive and law-abiding and report every breakdown of law to the relevant authorities for immediate action.
