A Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) member has shared suspicion of arson after the church’s zonal headquarters in Kontagora, Niger State, was burnt for the second time in 10 years.
FIJ learnt that the recent fire outbreak happened between 1:30 am and 2:00 am on August 10, prompting neighbours to alert the church members to the incident.
Tayo Elijah, one of the church members, told FIJ that the fire started in the generator house, from where it spread to other parts of the church due to the presence of fuel and other flammable materials.
FIJ also gathered that the church lost many items to the fire, including the amplifier, fans, generator, television and other valuable materials stored there.
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Some items burnt down in the fire
Some items burnt down in the fire.
Some items burnt down in the fire.
Elijah said the members who hurried to the church that night attempted to contain the fire, but it was beyond their control.
“Thank God for the firefighters who came to our aid to contain the fire and minimise the damage which was upon the church,” he told FIJ on Saturday.
According to Elijah, one of the traders in the area claimed to have noticed people on the church premises and a car parked outside the church at about 1:00 am but thought they were church members.
“He thought it was the normal service the youths often held. Once a month, the youths have a vigil in the church on Friday, so he assumed it was them and didn’t think much of it,” revealed Elijah.
“However, to his greatest surprise, he suddenly saw that the church was ablaze.
“Apart from setting the church ablaze, it was discovered that some items were looted like standing fans, chairs, iron and other stuff that the church used for outreaches.”
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The destruction caused by the fire.
Some items destroyed in the fire
SECOND FIRE INCIDENT IN 10 YEARS
“This incident is the second time in history. 10 years ago, the same thing happened. The church was set on fire,” Elijah revealed.
“We have been dragging issues with roofing the church, with neighbours standing against the church for it not to be roofed.”
He noted that the recent inferno that engulfed the church caused great pain to members.
Elijah said he had learnt that a woman had petitioned the court regarding the church, claiming that its services were disturbing her.
“The person brought the petition on Thursday, and the church was on fire on Saturday,” Elijah said.
Samson Ogbebor, the assistant pastor of the church, also revealed that it took individual efforts to rebuild the church when hoodlums first burnt it down 10 years ago.
According to Premium Times, Ogbebor remarked: “They made several unsuccessful attempts and have refused us permission to roof it properly, and we decided to use it like that for worship, but look at what they have done today again.”
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has condemned the burning of the church and said that the incident would be investigated and perpetrators prosecuted.
The post Arson Suspected as RCCG Zonal HQ in Niger Burns — the 2nd Time in 10 Years appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.