Islamic extremists in Nigeria’s northern Kano state set fire to a church on 1 April after they could not find a young man who had renounced Islam and decided to return to Christianity, whom they were looking to kill.
Enraged by the Christians’ refusal to react violently to their attack, they proceeded to torch the home of church Pastor Habila Garba, whose daughter died as a result.
Plot to take life
Yahaya Joshua had converted to Islam but later chose to revert back to Christianity. Having heard of the plot to take his life for renouncing Islam, he fled in search of safety. Unable to find him, a mob of Islamic radicals set the church on fire and attacked local Christians with machetes. Several people sustained injuries in the attacks and two people have broken arms.
According to General Dikko, president of an organisation that advocates for ethnic Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christians:‘The church and all the properties were burnt down in the presence of the Christian community despite all pleadings for them to stop the destruction.’
Appealing to government authorities for protection, General Dikko said: ‘We have the right to belong to any religion of our choice and live anywhere in this country. We call on the authorities at all levels to rise up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of every citizen in this country.’
