Courtesy Olikita Ekani
Courtesy Olikita Ekani
Courtesy Olikita Ekani
Media Blackout Sparks Outrage Among Worshipers
By Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita
(Kaduna) Three churches in Daura County, Northwest Nigeria, were vandalized by Muslim extremists on the first day of Nigeria’s anti-hunger, anti-bad governance, and anti-poverty protests, leaving a trail of destruction and fear in their wake.
Daura is 250 miles north-west of Nigeria’s capital and the hometown of the country’s former President Muhammadu Buhari. It also has a history of violent attacks against Christians.
Attacks on churches in Daura commenced on the first day of the protest, when, on August 1, 2024, at approximately 2 PM local time, protesters turned violent, throwing stones at churches and causing chaos, TruthNigeria has learned.
“The protest started peacefully but was later taken over by Muslim extremists who unleashed violence on our community, looting our businesses and churches,” according to Pastor Peter Odoh of Deeper Life Church in Daura, one of the churches targeted.
“At Deeper Life Church, where I serve, the terrorists stole all our electronics, including TVs, sound systems, windows, doors, and even the plastic chairs we had recently purchased.”
in Daura, shared his account with TruthNigeria.
“As I am talking to you now, Christians in the county are still hiding in various locations and not coming out for fear of being attacked,” Pst. Odoh said.
“What turned out to be a very peaceful protest in the morning suddenly escalated into violence at about 2 p.m. Nigerian time,” said Pastor Daniel Ufuoma Ebrus, senior pastor of Living Faith Church Daura.
“Many of my church members were inside the church praying for peace in the country when we heard sounds of shattering glasses and stones that were hurled at our churches.”
Katsina CAN Secretary Confirms Church Attacks
Dr. Musa Daniel-Danladi, Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Katsina State, spoke to TruthNigeria’s correspondent via WhatsApp chat, confirming the attacks on churches in the state.
“The following churches were torched during the protest:
1. Living Faith (Winners Chapel) Daura
2. Deeper Life Bible Church Daura
3. Power of the Resurrection Church Kofar Kaura, Katsina”
Three churches were affected by the protesting mobs, with two located in Daura and one in Kofar Kaura, according to Dr. Daniel-Danladi.
Danladi provided further insight into the attacks on churches in the state.
“What happened was that the protesters threw stones at Power of Resurrection Church in the state capital (Katsina), vandalized, and looted items such as chairs, fans, tables, speakers, and projectors in the two churches in Daura, namely Living Faith Church and Deeper Life Bible Church.”
Christians in Daura “Living in fear of attacks.”
Christians in Daura are living in fear after brutal attacks on their places of worship and shops, with many forced into hiding to avoid being targeted by Muslim extremists.
“As I am talking to you now, Christians in Daura are living in fear; they are in hiding for fear of being attacked,” said Pastor Odoh.
Madam Alice Obioma, a fish seller and resident of Daura, has been hiding in her house with her three children since Thursday, Aug.1.
“I don’t want to go out, or else those extremists can kill me,” she said.
Obioma is not the only Christian in Daura that is hiding and living in fear of being attacked by Muslim extremists. TruthNigeria also learned that most Christians especially indigenous Christians are also taking precaution in order to avert being attacked.
The attacks, which began on August 1, have left the Christian community in Daura shaken and fearful for their lives. Many are calling for increased security measures to protect them from further violence.
Media Blackout on Church Attacks
Despite the severity of the incidents, major newspapers in Nigeria, both mainstream and online, have largely failed to report on the story, leaving the Christian community’s plight largely unacknowledged. Reporters at TruthNigeria are concerned about a media blackout on the recent attacks on churches and the intimidation of Christians by Muslim mobs during the protest.
Government reaction
However, in order to stop the increasing violence in the state, the Katsina State Government on Thursday, August 1,2024 imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in all the counties of the state .Once again, the State Government also did not mention the attacks on churches nor did it condemn the attacks
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita are conflict Reporters for TruthNigeria.
