- Churches in Katsina were allegedly looted and vandalised under the cover of the ongoing hunger protest
- Over 205 plastic chairs, including three plasma TVs and others, were said to be looted from the Living Faith Church
- The former CAN chairman in Katsina condemned the act, urged the government to address the protesters' demands
The church, which had been newly renovated with modern facilities, had its doors and windows damaged during the ransacking by the hoodlums.
A Pastor from the church, Pastor David Jato confirmed the attack on the church premises.
He said, “It happened around 10:00am on the first day of the protest. The hoodlums, many of whom were in Keke Nappe (Tricycle), chased the church’s security guard away, broke the door and windows, and entered the auditorium.”
Hoodlums reportedly stole 205 plastic chairs, others
The items reportedly stolen from the church auditorium include three plasma TVs for displaying church programs, over 205 plastic chairs, pastor’s chairs, a scoreboard where the accountant typically kept the church’s documents and a desktop computer at the reception, musical instruments, and a digital clock.
The pastor said, “They packed and destroyed everything inside the church auditorium, including the pulpits.”
Cleric urged government to ensure security of worship places
According to the report, while the hoodlums succeeded in entering the Living Faith Church, the Power of Resurrection Church, and the Deeper Life Church, they couldn’t break into the Anglican Church because of the strong protector integrated in the gate.
The former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Katsina, Rev. Nelson Onyekachuku, condemned the violence in his reaction to the event.
He pointed out that the government should address the protesters' demands and ensure the security of places of worship.
Katsina government imposes curfew, bans unusual gatherings, protests
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Katsina State Government implemented a 24-hour curfew in the Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, and a 7 pm to 7 am curfew was also declared for the other 33 Local Government Areas of the state.
The state government made the decision following the state's breakdown of law and order during the nationwide protest. Security agencies were instructed to arrest anyone found violating orders.