Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed condemns New Year’s Day Attack on Worshippers in Kwara

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has condemned the midnight attack on worshippers on New Year’s Day on Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Ilorin.

An unconfirmed number of religious worshippers had reportedly been injured by youths during their cross over services into the new year, Punch reports.

The youths had reportedly been stopped from celebrating what was termed a “New Year Carnival” by community leaders for fear of the carnival becoming a security threat.

The youths had begun attacking worship centers in the area, both churches and mosques, throwing firecrackers into the buildings.

A statue of Mary was smashed at the St, Joseph Catholic Church, Taiwo Isale, while another was burned.

Other church properties were also vandalized, as was done in the Methodist Church, Taiwo Isale.

The mosque where a muslim group Quareeb was worshipping was also vandalized, with worshippers injured.

While the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, put the number of those injured at 3, the Special Adviser on Security to the Kwara State Governor, Amusa Bello, said those injured numbered more than 25.

The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahaab Oba described the dastardly attack as criminal, satanic and alien to the state.

“Peace is sine qua non for the development of any society and the government will not tolerate any act capable of breaching peace, unity and tranquility of the state,” he said.

The governor called on the people of the state to imbibe spirit of tolerance and harmonious relationship for sustenance growth and economic development in the state.

Ahmed also called on parents and guidance to monitor their children and wards with a view to curtailing their likely excesses.