El-Rufai reacts to burning of church, police station in Kaduna

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state says it is illegal for anyone or group to take the law into their hands.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan.

El-Rufai, while condemning the burning of a church and police station, ordered an investigation into the circumstances of death of the labourer, whose demise allegedly prompted the riotous conduct, as well as the apprehension of all those who partook in or enabled the acts of arson.

The protesters had on Wednesday and Thursday in Narayi, Chikun local government area, burnt down a Celestial Church and the Narayi Police Post while protesting the death of the laborer.

The pastor of the church, one Babatunde Shittu, was protected from being lynched by the mob by police and some residents of the community.

The governor commiserated with the family of the deceased, but added that everyone who had concerns about the circumstances of his death would allow the law enforcement agencies to handle the matter.

El-Rufai said that his government will not tolerate attacks on places of worship and public property such as the police post.

“In a state that has endured four decades of violent conflict, there can be no condoning an attack on the offices of security agencies or a place of worship, an act that has often invited needless reprisals and escalation.

“The government is determined to ensure vigorous prosecution of anyone indicted by the police investigation into the matter”, the statement added.

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