Unidentified arsonists on Saturday August 10 looted and set ablaze the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Champion Zonal Headquarters, in Kontangora, Niger State, North central Nigeria.
Although, it is not clear what caused the fire, the church, located along Federal College of Education (FCE) road in the town was similarly burnt down 10 years ago by some persons who warned at the time that it should not be rebuilt.
The state police command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
“On 10/8/2024 at about 09.00am, information was received that on the same date at about 04.00am, there was a fire incident at Redeemed Church, along COE road, Kontangora.
“The fire burnt and destroyed valuable property of the church, value yet to be ascertained. The police patrol team led by the DPO, A Division, Kontagora visited the scene. The inferno was put out in collaboration with the fire service, but a large damage has been done by the fire.
“However, the cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained. Investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing, no life was lost.”
Samson Ogbebor, the church’s assistant pastor, told journalists that Saturday’s incident occurred at about 3 a.m.
“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 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,” Pastor Ogbebor said.
John Aboje, an elder of the church, said the fire incident would not deter its members and would continue to be good Christians and citizens of the country.
“We just want the government and the emirate to look into this very issue to allow freedom of worship,” Mr Aboje said.
The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the umbrella union of Christians in the country, condemned the incident, describing it as barbaric and uncalled for.
The chapter’s chairman, Bulus Yohanna, said the government should take action to ensure the culprits do not escape justice.
“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,” the CAN chairman said.
In an early statement, the Niger State Government blamed the incident on the activities of hoodlums.
According to the statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the attack was an attempt to destabilise peace and unity within the state.
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State also condemned the incident.
“We condemn this act and tell our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as other Niger State inhabitants, that the government prioritises their safety, security, and freedom of religion,” Mr Bago said in a statement on Sunday.
He advised the people to continue to collaborate and coexist in order to preserve peace and togetherness in Nigeria.
Mr Bago said the government would take necessary precautions to protect all houses of worship and to prevent a recurrence of the Kontagora incident.
The governor asked indigenes of the state to be watchful and report suspicious activity to the authorities.
“Together, we can avoid further occurrences of such heinous atrocities and maintain the tranquillity that we all seek.
“We support the members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the broader Christian community during this terrible time,” Mr Bago said.
Christianity is the second major religion in Niger State after Islam.
In 2006, about nine churches were set ablaze by some persons and 10 Christians killed by Muslim militants who were protesting alleged blasphemy of the Prophet Mohammed in cartoons published by a newspaper in Denmark.
On July 10, 2011, a bomb attack by Boko Haram terrorists killed three persons in the All Christian Fellowship Mission in Suleja part of the state.
On Christmas Day of 2011, the Saint Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, was bombed by the terrorists leaving scores dead.
The state has been bedevilled by security challenges as bandits often strike in some parts abducting and killing their victims.