Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – “Those who perpetrated the atrocious act of setting fire to the church will not go unpunished.” With these words, Donatus Edet Akpan, Bishop of Ogoja, addressed the faithful of St. Mary’s Catholic parish church in Irruan, in the Boki Local Government Area, Cross River State, in southeastern Nigeria, which was devastated by an arson attack in the early hours of February 26 (see Fides, 27/2/2026).
On Sunday, March 1, Bishop Akpan made a pastoral visit to express his closeness and offer spiritual comfort to the affected community. During the visit, the bishop celebrated Mass, which was attended by numerous faithful. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the prelate urged parishioners to remain vigilant, warning that the perpetrators of the attack could still be in the vicinity. Furthermore, strongly condemning the sacrilegious act, bishop Akpan emphasized that this is the first time, in almost one hundred years of Catholic presence in the area, that a church has suffered such destruction. At the same time, he reiterated his confidence that those responsible will be brought to justice: "Those who have committed this atrocious act will not go unpunished."
The attack occurred in the early hours of February 26, around 3:00 a.m., when unknown individuals forced open the church doors, entered, and set fire to the structure. The flames caused serious damage to the building, destroying the Tabernacle, several sacred objects, and the parish archives. Two vehicles used by the parish priest, which were parked in front of the rectory, were also set on fire. The parish priest, Father Euna Esibu, who had assumed office just three months ago, suffered serious orthopedic injuries while trying to escape the fire. To reach safety, he was forced to jump from the window of his apartment, located on the top floor. According to some theories, the perpetrators of the fire could be farmers from the nearby oil palm plantations or members of criminal groups formerly linked to a well-known local gang, once led by a gang leader known as “General Iron,” who was killed by the police a few years ago. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/3/2026)
