Kaduna state governor,Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has on Monday, visited St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Tudun-Wada, where the church altar was burnt last Friday night, saying investigation into the incident ongoing.
The governor who led other government officials to the church commended Kaduna Polytechnic students for putting off the fire which averted burning down the church.
Speaking with journalists after the assessment of the church, el-Rufai, said those behind the incident want to cause another round of crisis in the state, applauding Kaduna residents for living in peace with one another:” We are here to visit the church and sympathise with them. We once again thank Kaduna Polytechnic students for putting off the fire. As the police have said three suspects were arrested, and investigation is still ongoing. I directed the church officials to write to us and the government will pay for the damaged properties”.Also speaking, chairman of the church pastoral council, Dr.Daniel Attach, narrated how the incident happened :” 11:35pm last Friday,the students of Kaduna Polytechnic noticed smoke coming out of the church and they called the church priest. Someone used the church keys and opened the door, went inside and set fire in the church and left. Nobody broke into the church as you can, two of our new security guards who are in charge of the church keys were not around when we came. We reported the incident to police and they arrested our security guards and the one that just left the job”
On his part, the Divisional Police Officer, Tudun Wada, CSP Mohammed Yusuf, said the three suspects arrested are cooling themselves at police state command’s Criminal Investigation Department, CID, to unravel those behind the incident.
EARLIER PRESS RELEASE.
KDSG commends St. Augustine’s congregation and Kadpoly students
The Kaduna State Government on Sunday commended the resilience of the congregation of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. The government explained that the priests and members of the church have given a loud rebuke to violence and bigotry by conducting their church service despite the arson attack of Friday night.
The government described this exercise of the right to worship as a fitting complement to the courage displayed by the students of Kaduna Polytechnic who put out the Friday night fire which burnt the altar of the church.
An official government representative has visited the church to convey the government’s sympathy over the incident and express its determination to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter. A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House said that security agencies are investigating the arson incident.
The government, which disclosed that three persons have already been arrested in connection with the case, assured residents that there would be diligent prosecution of anyone indicted by the investigation.
“The Kaduna State Government has condemned the arson attack on St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Tudun-Wada. The government has directed a comprehensive investigation of this assault on the right to freedom of worship. Government notes the arrest of three persons in connection with the sad incident and assures the public of diligent prosecution of anyone that is indicted by the investigation.
“The government salutes the resilience of the congregation of St. Augustine’s Church who today held their usual Sunday service in spite of the arson attack. Their courage is a loud rebuke to violence and bigotry, and a firm affirmation of the right to worship. Government also commends the students of Kaduna Polytechnic for rallying themselves to put out the fire.
“The government further thanked the management of Kaduna Polytechnic for deploying firefighters to the scene when students raised the alarm of fire in the the premises of the Church which shares a fence with the institution.
“A state government team, led by Samuel Aruwan, spokesperson of Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has visited the church and conveyed the government’s message of sympathy to the priests and congregation. Aruwan also represented the government at a meeting held at Ungwan Sanusi Divisional Police Headquarters, with representatives of the church, led by Revd. Father Anthony Ikhenoba, Dean Northern Deanery, Dr. Daniel Attar, Chairman Parish Council and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Mohammed Yusuf.
“The state government has also been in touch with the leadership of the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese which has responded to the sad incident appreciate with commendable grace and a firm expectation of justice.
“The state government calls on all residents of the state to uphold peace and harmony, reject those who seek to divide and report anyone engaged in violence.”
Signed
Samuel Aruwan
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity)
Sunday, 30th June 2019.
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