A church building of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was set ablaze and destroyed by Muslim extremists in Kontagora town, Niger state, Nigeria. On August 10, about 3 a.m., the religious fanatics perpetrated to the church, started fires, and burned down the whole building. It is the second time that the church was burned down on the same site. Ten years ago, while the church building was still under construction, Muslim fanatics destroyed it in a similar matter than they did now.

“I got a distress call that our church was on fire, and on getting there I met a church being burned down and properties therein looted by hoodlums. This church has faced lots of challenges – about 10 years ago, some Muslim hoodlums came and burnt it down completely, and through self-efforts we were able to rebuild the worship sanctuary.”

Associate Pastor Samson Ogbebor told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. He added that members of the local Muslim community have made several unsuccessful attempts to stop the Christians from building the church.

“We eventually completed the building of the church building, but they have not relented in their opposition to allowing us as Christians to have a place of worship in the town. For a second time they have burnt down the sanctuary.”

Markus Emmanuel, a member of the church who rushed to the site, said that,

“The building was completely razed by fire. Some residents close to the church building told us that they saw a group of Muslims who came into the church premises and set fire on the building.”

Church deacon John Aboje called on local Muslim leaders and government officials to try and preserve the religious freedom of Christians in the predominantly Muslim area. Rev. Bulus Dauda Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, released a statement confirming and condemning the attack on the church.

“The destruction of the RCCG worship building is not only barbaric and unwarranted, but also a very painful experience to the Christian community in Kontagora town. There’s the need for government officials in Kontagora to take strict measures towards putting an end to such ungodly activities of fanatics. This incident has created religious tension.”

The state governor, Mohammed Bago, also condemned the attack and voiced his support for the peaceful coexistence of different religions in the state, said Aisha Wakaso, media aid of the governor. Gov. Bago also requested a thorough and immediate investigation of the attack.

Source: Christian Daily