In the wake of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, a group of hoodlums attacked a Living Faith Church in Daura, Katsina State, looting valuables worth millions of naira. The assailants stole approximately 205 chairs, musical instruments, and other valuable items.

David Jato, the pastor in charge, reported that the looting occurred on Thursday during violent clashes between hoodlums and security operatives. As a result of the invasion, the church was unable to hold its Sunday service in the auditorium.

“We have 2 security men operating in the church, one was on duty while the other was off. When the protest began around 10:00 am, the hoodlums just diverted to the church, many of them in Keke NAPEP (Tricycle), and broke the doors and glasses and entered the church auditorium. They packed everything inside the church auditorium, including the wall digital clock, musical instruments, pulpit, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs and a desktop computer at the reception, as well as a scoreboard where the accounting professional generally kept church documents. They scattered everything and went away with them,” Jato recounted.

The pastor noted that while three churches were targeted, the hoodlums successfully invaded only the Living Faith Church and Deeper Life Church, failing to breach the Anglican Church due to its strong iron gate protectors.

Jato confirmed that church leadership has informed the police and the Army, and arrests have reportedly been made. He condemned the attack, emphasizing that places of worship should be protected and expressing disappointment at the escalation of violence to churches.

Rev. Nelson Onyekachukwu, former state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), mentioned another affected church, Power of Resurrection, where windows were vandalized but entry was prevented by iron protectors. He called on the government to address the people’s grievances and ensure church protection during such incidents.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sadiq Abubakar, has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.