"Faith and Resilience: Ogoja Catholic Bishop Joins 16 Others in Prayer at Burned Irruan Church, Calls for Vigilance"

The Catholic Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Donatus Edet Akpan, alongside 16 other bishops, has visited St. Mary’s Quasi Parish Catholic Church, Irruan in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, following an arson attack that left parts of the church, two vehicles destroyed and vital documents destroyed.

Unknown assailants reportedly invaded the church premises in the early hours of Thursday at about 3:00 a.m., setting the sanctuary and parked vehicles ablaze before fleeing the scene.

During the pastoral visit, the bishops conducted a solemn Mass attended by a large number of faithful, in what church authorities described as a show of solidarity and spiritual reassurance to the affected parish community.

The Cross River State Commissioner of Police was said to have directed the Area Commander in Ikom to immediately visit the scene, while security agencies have launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Police authorities also advised the church to reinforce security around the premises, including fencing the compound and engaging private security personnel.

Local sources suspect that the attackers may include unidentified settlers residing in nearby palm oil plantations, as well as remnants of cult groups previously linked to a notorious gang led by the late “General Iron,” who was neutralised by security operatives some years ago.

However, security agencies are yet to officially confirm these claims.

Addressing worshippers after the Mass, Bishop Akpan urged parishioners to remain vigilant and security-conscious, warning that the perpetrators could still be within the vicinity.

He condemned the attack as a grievous assault on faith and community peace, assuring the congregation that justice would ultimately prevail.

“Those who perpetrated the heinous act of burning the church will never go unpunished,” the bishop declared.

The cleric further noted that the incident marks the first time in nearly 100 years of Catholic presence in the diocese that a church facility has suffered such destruction through violent attack.

A parishioner, Mr Bernard Peter, disclosed that the attackers allegedly left an inscription reading “O.O.” near the altar, a symbol yet to be deciphered, raising suspicions that criminal gangs may be involved.

He also revealed that the resident priest, Rev. Fr. Euna Esibu, who assumed duty at the parish barely three months ago, sustained serious orthopaedic injuries while escaping the inferno after jumping from his upstairs apartment when the attackers struck.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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