Kaduna state government Sunday said that three suspects have been arrested over the arson carried out on Friday at St Augustine Catholic Church Kaduna, the government however commended the congregation for their resilience.
A government statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Mr Samuel Aruwan said 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.
Government described the congregation’s exercise of its 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. Security agencies are investigating the arson incident.
“Three persons have already been arrested in connection with the case, there would be diligent prosecution of anyone indicted by the investigation.
“The Kaduna State Government 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 salutes the resilience of the congregation of St. Augustine’s Church who today held their usual Sunday service in spite of the arson attack. Government also commends the students of Kaduna Polytechnic for rallying themselves to put out the fire. Government thanked the management of Kaduna Polytechnic for deploying firefighters to the scene when students raised the alarm of fire in the premises of the Church which shares a fence with the institution.
“A state government team, led by Samuel Aruwan, 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 Office, 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. 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.”