Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Wachirakabi community in DCC Rumirgo, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, setting ablaze the EYN LCC Wachirakabi church building, the pastor’s residence, and four other houses belonging to villagers.
The attack reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m. yesterday while the resident pastor, Rev. Joshua Bitrus, was away at the EYN Headquarters attending the ongoing Annual Ministers’ Conference.
According to the DCC Secretary of Rumirgo, Rev. Emmanuel Mandara, who left the conference alongside Rev. Bitrus after receiving news of the incident, the insurgents stormed the village and carried out the destruction. He said the attackers completely burnt down the church building and razed the pastor’s house, destroying all his belongings, including foodstuffs, with nothing salvaged. Four other houses belonging to residents were also set on fire during the raid.
Rev. Mandara, however, confirmed that no life was lost in the attack, though several families have been left displaced and in distress following the destruction.
Condemning the incident, the President of EYN – Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, Rev. Daniel Y. C. Mbaya, PhD, called on the government to take decisive measures to end the recurring attacks. He said that despite the relative peace being experienced in some areas, security personnel must not relax but intensify efforts to completely defeat insurgency.
The EYN President also called on members of the church and the public to pray for the affected community and for lasting peace in the region.
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