Bandits burn Catholic seminarian to death in Kaduna

A young Seminarian, Naam Ngofe Danladi has been confirmed killed as bandits who attacked Fadan Kamattan Parish, Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan on Thursday night, set ablaze the Parish Priest’s house.

Kaduna State Chapter Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab confirmed the attack in a statement made available to journalists on Friday, saying that, the Parish Priest, Very, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo who was the target of the bandits, escaped by the whiskers.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the Police confirmation of the incident failed, as several calls put across to the Acting PPRO of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansur Hassan, were not answered.

The CAN Chairman in his statement said, “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, Very, 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 pm. 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 Kamatan 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.

“The position of CAN Kaduna State Chapter has always been that we as citizens must complement government in her primary responsibility of saving our lives and properties by proactively building a community security system that prevents any form of invading force into our community, sadly we are still here. We reiterate again here, that leaders at all levels in southern Kaduna and Kaduna State must wake up to this call and be responsible for the protection of the communities where the live and lead.

“We cannot continue like this, no it is unacceptable and we all must wake up to our responsibilities.

“The Executive of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Kaduna State Chapter and indeed all christians in Kaduna State sincerely sympathize with the chief shepherd and local ordinary of Kafanchan Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Julius Kundi, the Parish Priest and Parishioners of Kamatan Parish, the Kurama Community of Bro. Naam Ngofe Danladi, the leaders and the good people of Zangon Kataf LGA and Fadan Kamantan community over this unfortunate incident, we pray that the good Lord will heal our land and bring this menace to an end,” he stated.

The State Government was yet to make any official statement on the reported attack as at the time of filing this report.