Bandits have set a seminarian ablaze in attack on Kaduna Catholic church.
Glamtush reports that a Catholic seminarian, Naam Ngofe Danladi, was burnt to death when bandits attacked the residence of the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, in Fadan Kamatan, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday.
It was gathered that the seminarian was just about completing his training in the Catholic priesthood.
The Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, confirmed the incident in a statement made available on Friday.
Hayab described the seminarian’s death as painful.
“Our hearts are filled with pains at the wake of today (Friday) 8th September, 2023, with the sad news of the attack in our land and against our people at Fadan Kamatan Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, burning the priest’s residence and burning to death, Seminarian Bro. Naam Ngofe Danladi.”
The Kaduna CAN chairman further disclosed that the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, who doubles as the chancellor of the diocese, and his assistant, were able to escape from the building before the bandits set it ablaze.
Hayab noted that it was disheartening that the bandits were able to attack the parish, located in the heart Fadan Kamantan town, despite its proximity to a military checkpoint on the Kaduna-Kafanchan expressway.
He added that the bandits carried out the attack around 8:00 pm.
Expressing shock at the development, he said, “This causes us to wonder some more, where is the hope, how much more terrible could the situation get?”
Hayab noted that CAN appreciates the willingness of the Kaduna State government to proffer practical and lasting solution to the security challenges in the state, as suggested by the ongoing recruitment of over 7,000 men and women into the Kaduna State Vigilante Services (KADVIS).
He urged the state governor, Uba Sani, and all relevant stakeholders to immediately swing into action and ensure that those responsible for the murder of the seminarian are apprehended and made to face the law.
The CAN leader added, “Security is everyone’s business, it is disappointing that this kind of unholy activity could be recorded at the heart of 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.”
He enjoined leaders at all levels in Southern Kaduna and Kaduna State to rise up to the responsibility of providing leadership and protecting their communities, noting that the people cannot continue to suffer at the hands of bandits.
Hayab added that the leadership of CAN in Kaduna State and all Christians in the state are sympathising with the Bishop of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Julius Kundi, the Parish Priest and parishioners of Kamatan Parish, the Kurama community, home of the slain seminarian, Naam Ngofe Danladi, and the people of Zangon Kataf LGA and Fadan Kamantan, over the unfortunate incident.
He also prayed for an end to the menace posed by bandits in the area.
Sources said the late seminarian, Danlami, died from the smoke he inhaled while trying to escape from the raging fire, while other priests inside the parish house were said to have escaped.
Shortly after the incident, police authorities in the state said it had launched a manhunt for the assailants.
The spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command Manir Hassan said the bandits stormed the worship centre in droves.
According to him, while the assailants could not enter the main building, they set the house on fire alongside a motorcycle and vehicle part on the premises.
The police spokesman corroborated eyewitness accounts that the victim died due to the smoke he inhaled while trying to escape from the burning building.
