Suspected political thugs destroy Anglican Vicarages, NYSC lodge in Zaria (PHOTOS)

Hoodlums believed to be hired thugs stormed the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Cathedral Church of St George, Sabongari Zaria in Kaduna State, demolished two vicarages residents of Venerable Emeka Etuka and Rev’d Paul Ajayi.

Newspot correspondent in Kaduna who visited the Cathedral saw the ruins caused by the alleged hoodlums.

Narrating what happened, Bishop of the Diocese of Kaduna Right Revd Abiodun Ogunyemi said the hoodlums invaded the Cathedral between 2 and 3 am on Wednesday 23 December 2020, with a bulldozer that went straight for the two vicarages, forced out the two pastors with members of their families, threw out their properties before destroying the buildings.

He said the hoodlums alleged to have taken orders from the State Governor El Rufai not only destroyed the vicarages but Corpers lodge and locked up shops built by the Cathedral. “The priests are presently homeless.

By morning, many goods of the traders littered the premises of the Cathedral. The Cathedral is located in the central market in Zaria.

Bishop Ogunyemi said the Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Most Revd Henry Ndukuba had been contacted about the incident who promised the church would intervene.

“We have also informed CAN in Sabongari and Zaria .”

A senior Kaduna State government official who wished to remain anonymous said the state government was reclaiming the land space for the central market.

The issue he said had been on for years when the State Government gave the church specific deadline to vacate the area.

Though according to him the Church claimed it had C of O for the entire space where the market is located now.

However he said the State edict had violated the C of O granted the church many years ago.

” We gave the Church enough notice to relocate to a new place but refused to comply with government orders”.

Photos below