Pastor Severely Injured, Houses Burnt in Alleged Blasphemy Violence in Bauchi

Tension seems to be escalating in Bauchi State with a Pastor severely injured and houses burnt by rampaging protesters.

There was chaos on Friday (yesterday) in the Katangan area of Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The unrest is reported to have started after a lady identified as Roda Jatau allegedly posted a blasphemous video clip in a WhatsApp group mostly made up of Muslims.

The development was greeted with an unprecedented backlash as Muslim fanatics reportedly attacked Christians in the area.

Police operatives are said to have promptly reacted to the incident to forestall a breach of the peace.

However, situation reports just received say that tension has further built up as many houses have been set ablaze.

Though there are no reports of fatalities but a pastor is said to have been severely injured.

Another report said that a shop belonging to an ECWA Church in the area has been burnt down.

Speaking with Punch on Saturday morning, a resident said that, “The District Head of the area and the leaders are on top of the situation. The police have also been informed about it.”

Confirming the incident, another resident said, “We were at home this evening when we heard shouts from some Muslim youths in their numbers who went on the rampage and besieged an ECWA Church in the area.

“But Christian youths and others resisted and repelled them but that was after they had burnt down a shop attached to the church. Many houses were burnt down by the rampaging youths.”

The injured pastor of ECWA is currently battling his life.

One of the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state also confirmed the incident to journalists in a telephone interview.

He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state and the Senior Special Assistant to the Bauchi State Governor on Christian Religious Affairs are aware.

The Christian community, however, has been urged to not allow the situation to degenerate.

However, the State Police Command is yet to release an official statement on the incident.