Nigerian Cop on church guard duty killed

Unidentified gunmen today attacked the All Saints Catholic Church, Kanoyel in Gombe State, killing a policeman who was on duty at the church, according to reports.

The gunmen arrived at the church premises when the parishioners were coming out of the service and fired at the policemen.

The source said the gunmen also tried to gain entry into the church but that the parishioners shut the gate.

Rev. Fr. Williams Ochai, the Parish Priest of Church, told NAN that the gunmen opened fire on the policemen deployed to guard the church during the mass.

According to him, as soon as the parishioners heard the gun shots, they immediately shut the gate to the church.

He, however, said one of the policemen died instantly while the other sustained serious injuries.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gombe State, Rev. Abare Kalla, described it as unfortunate.

Kalla said CAN had an information that there would be an attack but did not know where it would occur, adding that security agents were informed.

The chairman said the aim of the attackers was to gain entry into the church but that they could not succeed because of the fence.

He confirmed that a policeman deployed to the area was killed in the incident while another sustained injuries.

Kalla commiserated with the family of the policeman and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, told NAN on phone that he was in Abuja.

He directed NAN to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Fwaje Atajiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

“I have been promoted to the position of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and I am now in Abuja for that purpose. So, get in touch with my PPRO,’’ he said.

Fwaje, however, told NAN on phone that it was only the Commissioner that would comment on the issue.