Abba Usman, 18, who allegedly participated in the recent attack by some Muslim youths on St. Philips Catholic Church, Suleja, Niger State, has said his gang’s actions were not based on religious extremism.
The suspect stated that the blame should be on some female members of the church for playing musical instruments so loud, dancing and making noise while a Juma’at prayer was going on at the mosque opposite the church on Friday, July 15.
The suspect added that shortly after the Juma’at prayers on the fateful day, he and other youths went to the church premises to attack the church.
“We went to the church to teach them a bitter lesson so that they will never disturb the peace of the mosque again, especially on a Friday when we are having a prayer. They have the whole of Sunday to themselves and we have never disturbed them from doing their own programmes,” he said.
“We all entered the church and vandalised some of their property, while we took some of their musical instruments and other valuables. I went for two of the microphones with the aim of selling them, but I was not lucky as I was caught with them,” the suspect stated.
While addressing journalists, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, described the action of the youth as criminal.
He disclosed that police received a distress call that some youths were vandalising the property of the church.
“On the receipt of that complaint, we sent our Rapid Response Team to the scene but before the police team got there, many of the youth had fled. However, Abah Usman was caught in action,” he said.