09/09/2023 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Suspected Muslim terrorists attacked and burned a Catholic seminary in Kaduna State, Nigeria on Friday and killed a young seminarian who was trapped in the fire.
The attack occurred at the rectory and house of St. Rachael’s Parish in Fadan Kamantan. Two priests escaped the blaze, but seminarian Naam Ngofe Danladi perished. A Catholic church representative said they were warned before the attack, and they contacted authorities. The military, however, arrived after the assailants fled and the church was destroyed.
Kaduna State Gov. Uba Sani vowed to bring the assailants to justice.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter, issued a statement on Saturday, saying “our hearts are filled with pains” over the incident:
“It is no longer news that armed men invaded a Catholic Church Parish Headquarters located at Fadan Kamantan community and the criminals targeted the Parish Priest’s residence … the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo who also doubles as the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, and his assistant were able to escape out of the house before the criminals set the entire Rectory ablaze burning to death a Seminarian Bro. Naam Ngofe Danladi who is just about completing his training into the Catholic Priesthood.
“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 p.m. This causes us to wonder some more, ‘Where is the hope, how much more terrible could the situation get?’
“We appreciate the willingness of the present administration to proffer practical, real and lasting solutions to the security challenge in Kaduna State as made visible by the ongoing recruitment process of over 7,000 men and women into the Kaduna State Vigilante Services (KADVIS).
“In the light of sharing in the faith of the perceived goodwill of the present administration in Kaduna State, we invite the Governor of Kaduna State and all relevant stakeholders to immediately swing into action and ensure that those responsible for the Kamantan evil night are apprehended and made to face the law.
“Security is everyone’s business; it is disappointing that this kind of unholy activity could be recorded at the heart of the Fadan Kamantan community, and the criminals will operate unchallenged. It is a slap to the security forces within that jurisdiction, it is a slap to the religious leaders, traditional and community leaders.”
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