Protesters turned hoodlums invaded several churches in Katsina State, looting and destroying properties under the guise of the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance.
The attack, which targeted places of worship, has drawn widespread condemnation.
The most affected was the Living Faith Church in Daura Local Government Area.
The newly renovated church, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, suffered extensive damage as the hoodlums ransacked the building, stealing all its valuables.
Doors and windows were shattered, and the church’s security guard was chased away.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers also targeted the Deeper Life Church and the Anglican Church, though the extent of the damage to these buildings was not immediately clear.
The hoodlums reportedly used Keke Napep (tricycles) to transport stolen items from the church premises.
Pastor David Jatau Sarki, in charge of the Living Faith Church, confirmed the attack. He narrated the incident, saying, “It happened around 10:00 am on the first day of the protest.
The hoodlums, many of them in Keke Napep (tricycles), chased the church’s security guard away, broke the doors and windows, and entered the auditorium.
They destroyed everything inside, including the pulpits.”
Items stolen from the church include three plasma TVs used for displaying church programmes, musical instruments, over 205 plastic chairs, pastor’s chairs, a desktop computer at the reception, a digital clock, and a scoreboard where the church’s documents were kept.
Due to the damage, Sunday service could not be held in the church auditorium, forcing congregants to worship in their homes.
Pastor Jatau expressed his dismay, stating, “It is shocking that a protest against bad governance would target places of worship for destruction.
This is unacceptable and must be condemned.”
He also revealed that the police and the army had been informed and that some arrests had been made.
In the Katsina State capital, the Power of Resurrection Church was also vandalised.
Former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Katsina, Rev. Nelson Onyekachuku, condemned the violence and emphasized the need for the government to address these issues and ensure the protection of places of worship.
