By Daniel Edu
Bandits launched a brutal assault in Kaduna State, Nigeria, targeting St. Rachael’s Catholic Parish in Fadan Kamantan, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, on Thursday night. The attack resulted in the tragic death of a seminarian named Na’aman Danladi, as the parish house was engulfed in flames.
During the attack, some priests managed to escape, but Na’aman Danladi, a young seminarian on his path to becoming a Catholic priest, was unable to evade the inferno.
The Acting Police Public Relations Officer for Kaduna State, Mansur Alhassan, confirmed the attack and assured the public that the police were actively responding to the situation.
Revd John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, vehemently condemned the attack, describing it as a sorrowful and malicious act. He noted that the attackers specifically targeted the residence of the parish priest and his assistant, who narrowly escaped harm.
The attack occurred in close proximity to a military checkpoint along the Kaduna-Kafanchan highway, raising concerns about the effectiveness of security measures in the area.
In response to this tragedy, CAN and other concerned stakeholders called for immediate action to apprehend the culprits and address the persistent security challenges in Kaduna State. There were appeals for a month-long military operation in the state’s forests to combat bandits and kidnappers.
Governor Uba Sani also expressed strong condemnation of the attack and vowed to relentlessly pursue the perpetrators to ensure they face justice. The governor extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and assured them of government support.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in specific regions of Nigeria, where banditry, terrorism, and other forms of violence continue to wreak havoc on local communities.
