As the heat of the Presidential elections heightens in virtually all parts of the nation, two unknown assailants on a motorcycle have set ablaze a branch of Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel in Giwa, Headquarters of Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The entire church with all the contents were destroyed in the incident which took place at about 2:30 pm on Friday March 20, 2015.
The incident was believed to be connected with the oncoming presidential elections as it happened few months after the reported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Founder of the Church, Bishop David Oyedepo.
In reaction, the President of Tarayyar Masihiyawan Nijeria (Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christians), General Ishaku Ahmed Dikko (retd) and Mr. Sunny Oibe, Director of National Issues in Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) issued a statement on Thursday, March 26, 2015.
The statement titled, “Presidential Elections 2015: Signs of what to expect”, called on security agencies to act fast to avoid violence in the area.
Part of the statement reads,
“The incidence actually became more worrisome when no effort was made by a passersby to assist in putting out the fire. In fact, it was a Fulani herdsman that saw the fire and reported to the Police Station. Only one Policeman and a Christian volunteer that ran to the scene and attempted to put out the fire but of course could not achieve anything.
”This situation and the circumstances surrounding the incidence are a cause of serious concern. If this can happen more than a week to the Presidential Elections, what shall we expect during or after the elections? Is this a sign of what to expect or a dress rehearsal of a repeat of 2011 Post – Election Violence? This is a wakeup call to the Federal, State and Local Government Authorities,especially the Security Agencies.
“The Christians in the North, particularly the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri speaking Christians, who are indigenous in these States and live within and among their kith and kin are in serious jeopardy.”
