SEEKS PROACTIVE ACTION ON SECURITY IN STRATEGIC AREAS ACROSS BOARD
By Rhoda Okoh
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC) Rev Yakubu Pam has visited the scene of the Parish Priest’s residence of the Saint Raphael Catholic church, in Fadan Kamantan, Zango Kataf Local government Area of Kaduna state that was burnt down by suspected bandits and kidnappers, to sympathize with the body of Christ.
The unfortunate incident which occurred on the 7th of September, 2023 left the Seminarian killed by the hoodlums.
Speaking on the fact-finding visit on Thursday, 14th September, 2023 Rev Pam appealed to Federal and State Governments to step up action and proffer solutions that would address the current security situations, particularly on places of worship and key personalities to avert reoccurring incidents.
Emphasizing Rev Fr. Emmanuel Okolo’s stand, the Parish Priest of Saint Raphael Catholic Church, Fadan Kamantan, the NCPC boss said the incident was a case of banditry and kidnapping and not a religious coloration.
Further, calling on well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of Saint Raphael’s Catholic Church, Fadan Kamantan to provide for emergency needs as well as rebuild the residence of the Parish Priest to cushion the effect.
Anybody that comes here will know that it took only a miracle for the Parish Priest of the Catholic church to be alive today,” said Rev. Pam
Earlier, while briefing the NCPC boss on the ill-fated incident, the Parish Priest of Saint Raphael’s Catholic Church Fadan Kamantan, Rev Fr Emmanuel Okolo said.
The attackers had made efforts in the past to kidnap me, but were not successful
Regretting the fact that the late Seminarian, Na’aman Stephen who took refuge in the toilet was killed in cold blood and the Parish residence was burnt, but miraculously escaped with his assistance. Said Parish Priest
A statement signed by the Deputy Director and Head Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka on 14th September, 2023 revealed that the NCPC boss equally commended Mr. President Bola Tinubu’s support for him and the commission to carry on his peace advocacy assignment across the country.
According to him, Rev. Pam also uses the medium to pay a courtesy visit to the palace of the paramount ruler of Fadan Kamantan, HRM Adamu Alkali whom he described as the “chief mourner.” noted that.
The government of Kaduna state is pleased with the role the ten-man peace committee had been playing in Southern Kaduna.
He cautioned the youth of the community not to take the laws into their hands because of what happened on 7th September.
He affirmed that the two dominant religions in Southern Kaduna tolerate themselves and are living peacefully with one another. He explained that the Southern Kaduna Peace Joint Committee members, SKPJC are working together with Muslims and Christians.
Furthermore, the executive secretary’s fact-finding team was at the Central Mosque at Fadan Kamantan where they met with the leadership of the Muslim community in the Mosque.
He thanked them for their show of love and solidarity which they demonstrated during the attack at Saint Raphael’s parish.
He urged them to continue to imbibe the spirit of inter-faith harmony so that together they would be able to overcome the forces of evil in their community
The NCPC boss is one of the founders of the Southern Kaduna Peace Joint Committee, SKPJC until his appointment as the Executive Secretary, he has demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship across the two religious groups in the state.
