Pastor’s daughter dies as irate youths set church ablaze

The Baptist Church at Gidan Maso village in the Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State has been set ablaze.

It was gathered that the residence of the pastor, Habila Garba, was also burnt by irate youths, while one of the pastor’s daughters died of suffocation.

The incident happened on April 1 at about 7.30 pm, barely one week after a similar attack on a branch of the Living Faith Church, popularly called Winners Chapel, in the Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The President of Tarayyar Masihiyawan Nijeria (Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christians), General Ishaku Dikko (retd), said on Tuesday in Abuja that the intention was to kill one youth, Yahaya Joshua, who converted to Islam, but later went back to Christianity.

He said, “They also attacked and injured Bawa Adamu, Aminu Dauda and others. The cause of the barbaric act was to kill one youth, Yahaya Joshua, who converted to Islam, but later on reverted to Christianity.

“The youth had escaped on learning of the plan to kill him. They therefore set the church and the pastor’s house on fire and went about maiming and wounding any Christians they saw. The incidence was immediately reported to the police and the district head at Rogo.”

Dikko said no information had been received about any action taken or arrest made, adding that all the people who were injured “know and can identify their attackers by name since they all live in the same village.”

According to him, the church and other valuables were burnt down in the presence of the christian community, despite the plea for them to stop the destruction.

He added, “The arsonists gathered corncob inside the church in order to cause greater damage. The Christians present exhibited great Christian qualities by not taking the law into their hands.

“The arsonists also set the house of the resident pastor, Habila Garba, ablaze as well. As a result of the fire, one of the pastor’s daughters died of suffocation.”

The Association of Christians in Northern Nigeria urged the government to take the necessary steps to stop the harassments and molestations of Christians.

“We have the right to belong to any religion of our choice and live anywhere in this country. We call on the authorities at all levels to rise up to their responsibilities to protect lives and property of every citizen in this country,” Dikko said.