Hoodlums disguising as protesters invaded churches in Katsina State, looting and destroying properties under the guise of the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.
The hoodlums earlier stormed the Living Faith Church in Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, damaging the building and carting away all its valuables.
The newly renovated worship centre, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, suffered damage to its doors and windows as the hoodlums ransacked the building.
According to an eyewitness, the criminals also attacked two other churches, the Deeper Life Church and the Anglican Church, though the extent of the damages there was not immediately clear.
He mentioned that the hoodlums used a Keke Napep (tricycle) to transport the stolen items from the church premises.
When contacted, Pastor David Jatau Sarki, in charge of the Living Faith Church, confirmed the attack on the worship centre.
Speaking on the incident, the clergy said, “It happened around 10:00 am on the first day of the protest. The hoodlums, many of them in Keke Nappe (Tricycle), chased the church’s security guard away, broke the door and windows, and entered the auditorium.
“They parked and destroyed everything inside the church auditorium, including the pulpits.”
Items reportedly stolen from the church auditorium include three plasma TVs used for displaying church programs, musical instruments, over 205 plastic chairs, pastor’s chairs, a desktop computer at the reception, and a digital clock, as well as a scoreboard where the accountant usually kept the church’s documents.
Jato revealed that, as a result of the damages, Sunday service could not hold in the church auditorium. They had to worship in their various home cells instead.
Jato disclosed that out of the three churches targeted, the hoodlums only succeeded in invading the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life but could not force themselves into the Anglican church because of the strong protector at the gate.
Expressing shock that a protest against bad governance would target places of worship for destructions, Jato said, “This is unacceptable and must be condemned.”.
“We’ve informed the police and the Army about it, and the police told us yesterday that they have made some arrests,” Jato revealed.
In the same vein, the Power of Resurrection Church was also vandalised by the hoodlums.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the attacks on churches by the hoodlums.
Speaking on the development, former Chairman CAN Katsina State chapter, Rev. Nelson Onyekachuku, condemned the violence.
He emphasised that the government needs to address these issues and ensure the protection of places of worship.
