Arson Attack: Ogoja Catholic Bishop, 16 others pray at razed Irruan church, urge vigilance

The Catholic Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Donatus Edet Akpan, alongside 16 different bishops, has visited St. Mary’s Quasi Parish Catholic Church, Irruan successful Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, pursuing an arson onslaught that near parts of the church, 2 vehicles destroyed and captious documents destroyed.

Unknown assailants reportedly invaded the religion premises successful the aboriginal hours of Thursday astatine astir 3:00 a.m., mounting the sanctuary and parked vehicles ablaze earlier fleeing the scene.

During the pastoral visit, the bishops conducted a solemn Mass attended by a ample fig of faithful, successful what religion authorities described arsenic a amusement of solidarity and spiritual reassurance to the affected parish community.

The Cross River State Commissioner of Police was said to person directed the Area Commander successful Ikom to instantly sojourn the scene, portion information agencies person launched a manhunt to apprehend those liable for the attack.

Police authorities besides advised the religion to reenforce information astir the premises, including fencing the compound and engaging backstage information personnel.

Local sources fishy that the attackers whitethorn see unidentified settlers residing successful adjacent thenar lipid plantations, arsenic good arsenic remnants of cult groups antecedently linked to a notorious pack led by the precocious “General Iron,” who was neutralised by...