KADUNA – A seminarian, Stephen Naman Ngofe was on Thursday night burnt beyond recognition when criminal elements suspected to be bandits terrorising Kaduna State attacked and set ablaze the Catholic Parish House at Fadan Kamattan Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
The parish priest, Emmanuel Okolo and his assistant, Monday Noah, who were also in the building during the incident, which occurred about 8pm, managed to escape the inferno and kidnap attempt by the attackers.
Both the Kaduna State Police Command and the Ministry for Internal Security and Home Affairs are yet to make any official statement with regards to the development as at the time of filing this report.
But, the Chairman, Zango Kataf LGA, Francis Sani confirmed the development, describing it as “shocking”. He said the terrorists fled after setting up a vehicle and the parish house, as they were unable to kidnap anyone.
Special Assistant (Media) to the Chairman, Yabo Chris Ephraim said his principal was saddened by the development, adding that the “Brother Naman died as a result of the smoke he inhaled while trying to escape from the grasp of the kidnappers.”
The chairman who was represented by the Vice Chairman of the Council, Gabriel Achi, Council Secretary, Markus Fangan and other Council members at the scene of the incident and later at the palace of the Ngbiar Anghan, condoled with the people over the loss. He reaffirmed his faith in God and collaborative efforts being undertaken to bring to an end all forms of security threats within the local government area and beyond, urging the people to be alert, law-abiding and supportive.
Meanwhile the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday condemned the attack. CAN Chairman in the state, Rev. John Joseph Hayab in a statement restated his earlier position that community leaders in the state, especially those in Southern Kaduna should rise in defence of where they live since it appeared that the government whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and property of Nigerians is failing.
“What is disheartening about this particular attack is the fact that the place of attack is just by the Kaduna -Kafanchan major highway with a military checkpoint not far from the parish. The parish is located at the heart of Kamantan town and the attack was carried out at about 8:00 pm. This causes us to wonder some more, about where is the hope, and how much more terrible could the situation get.
