Suspected hoodlums stole over 205 chairs, musical instruments, and other items worth millions of naira from churches in Katsina State on the first day of the ongoing nationwide protest.
Reports indicate that the hoodlums targeted a Living Faith Church in the Daura Local Government Area, looting the premises of its chairs, musical instruments, and other valuable items.
Pastor David Sarki confirmed the incident to Punch, explaining that the theft forced the church to cancel its service. “Since the hoodlums took everything from inside the church on the first day of the protest, the congregation had to worship at their home cells,” Pastor Sarki said.
He described how, around 10:00 am, the protesters diverted to the church. Many arrived in tricycles, broke doors and windows, and entered the church auditorium. “They stole everything from the church auditorium, including the wall clock, musical instruments, pulpit, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs, a desktop computer at the reception, and a scoreboard where church documents were kept. They left the place in disarray,” Sarki added.
The attackers targeted three churches: Living Faith Church, Deeper Life, and the Anglican Church. They successfully invaded the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life but were unable to access the Anglican Church due to its strong security.
The church has reported the incident to the police and the army, who have informed them of some arrests. Sarki expressed his dismay at the attack, stating that it is troubling to see protests against bad governance escalate to church invasions. “The house of God is not a place for storing food; it is a place of worship. This attack should be condemned by all. The government must recognize that they serve humanity, and God will judge us all, whether political or religious leaders,” Sarki said.
Pastor Nelson Onyekachuku of Power of Resurrection Church in Katsina State also reported vandalism at his church. The hoodlums damaged the church windows but could not gain entry due to the iron gate protectors.
Onyekachuku, a former state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Katsina, condemned the vandalism and urged that such actions should not add to the suffering of the church.
