Bandits ‘burn seminarian to death’, kill two in Kaduna

Three people have been killed in separate attacks by bandits in Kamantan and Sabon Kaura in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state.

Both incidents were said to have occurred on Thursday night.

In Kamantan, the bandits invaded the residence of the Catholic Parish priest, killing Stephen Naman, a seminarian.

A resident of the area told NAN that the bandits invaded the parish in droves.

The priest, alongside his colleague, escaped from the house before the bandits arrived. Naman had hid in the toilet.

The resident added that the community repelled the attack and gunned down one of the bandits.

In a reprisal move, the bandits set the parish ablaze, with Naman consumed by the inferno.

NAN quoted sources as saying that Naman died from the smoke he inhaled while trying to escape.

“The bandits came in the night to kidnap the Parish priest in Kamantan,” NAN quoted the resident as saying.

“The priest and his colleague were able to escape from the house, but a seminarian serving in the parish ran to hide in the toilet within the compound when he could not escape from the house.”

Meanwhile, in Sabon Kaura, suspected herdsmen destroyed a farm belonging to a resident.

Sources said the herdsmen, who admitted to the crime during a summon by the community leader, were told to pay a fine as compensation to the farm owner.

However, the herdsmen were alleged to have attacked the community on Thursday night, killing two people.

Mansir Alhassan, Kaduna police command acting spokesperson, confirmed the incidents to NAN.

‘BURNT PARISH NOT FAR FROM MILITARY CHECKPOINT’

The Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has condemned the burning of the Catholic parish in Kamantan.

In a statement issued on Friday, Joseph Hayab, CAN state chairman, said the attack was disheartening.

He added that the parish was a stone’s throw from a military checkpoint.

“What is disheartening about this particular attack is the fact that the place of attack is just by the Kaduna-Kafanchan major highway with a military checkpoint not far from the Parish,” the statement reads.

“The Parish is located at the heart of Kamantan town and the attack was carried out at about 8:00 pm.

“This causes us to wonder some more. Where is the hope? How much more terrible could the situation get?”

The CAN chairman called on the state government and all relevant stakeholders to immediately swing into action and ensure that those responsible for the attack are apprehended and made to face the law.