Police, Niger Govt Differ On Cause Of Fire At Redeemed Church

Authorities in Niger State are at odds over the cause of a fire that broke out at the Zonal Headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kontagora.

The State government quickly blamed hoodlums for the incident, but the police command has rejected this, stating that the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

The Niger State Government, through a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, claimed that hoodlums were responsible for setting the church ablaze.

The statement suggested that the attack was an attempt to destabilize peace and unity within the state.

Contradicting this, the Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, issued a statement clarifying that the fire was not the result of arson by hoodlums.

According to Abiodun’s statement: “On 10/8/2024 at about 09.00am, information was received that on the same date at about 04.00am, there was a fire incident at Redeemed Church, along COE road Kontagora.

“The fire burnt and destroyed valuable property of the church, value yet to be ascertained. The police patrol team led by the DPO, A Division, Kontagora visited the scene. The inferno was put out in collaboration with the fire service, but a large damage has been done by the fire.

“However, the cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained. Investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing, no life was lost.”