Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has strongly condemned the burning of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kontagora town by suspected hoodlums, describing the act as “mindless and cowardly.”
The governor, in a statement on Sunday, assured the Christian community and all Niger inhabitants that the government prioritizes their safety, security, and freedom of religion, according to News Agency of Nigeria.
He directed security agencies to conduct an immediate inquiry into the incident, vowing to catch and prosecute the perpetrators.
Bago urged calm and restraint, emphasizing the importance of preserving peace and togetherness. He pledged to protect all places of worship and called on residents to report suspicious activities to prevent further occurrences.
The governor expressed support for the affected Church and the broader Christian community, promising to take necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents.
Bago said: “We totally condemn this act and tell our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as other Niger inhabitants that the government prioritises their safety, security, and freedom of religion.
“Our state utilises its diversity and the peaceful coexistence of all religious and ethnic groups. We will not condone this act of violence,” he said.