BREAKING: Jihadists Set St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral Ablaze in Taraba, Priest Rescues Blessed Sacrament
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Flames Rage Through Wukari Church as Bystanders Watch Helplessly – No Casualties Reported
Suspected Islamist jihadists have set St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Wukari, Taraba State, ablaze in a late-night attack that has sent shockwaves through the Christian community in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Ejes Gist News gathered that the attackers struck under the cover of darkness, with flames rapidly consuming the roof and windows of the cathedral as helpless bystanders watched the house of God burn.
Priest’s Brave Act
In a moment of extraordinary courage, the cathedral’s priest, Fr James Oliver, risked his life to rescue the Blessed Sacrament from the burning building.
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Witnesses reported that despite the intensity of the fire and the danger of structural collapse, Fr Oliver dashed into the sanctuary to retrieve the consecrated Eucharist before the flames could consume it—a act of faith that has moved parishioners and drawn widespread admiration.
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Eyewitness Account
Residents of Wukari who witnessed the attack described scenes of horror and helplessness.
“We heard shouting and saw flames. By the time we gathered, the roof was already on fire. We could not do anything—the attackers had fled, and the fire was too strong,” one witness told reporters.
Another source confirmed the jihadist nature of the attack, stating that the assailants were heard making religious declarations before setting the church ablaze.
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Wukari’s Volatile Security Situation
Wukari, located in southern Taraba State, has been a flashpoint for religious and ethnic tensions for years. The area has witnessed repeated attacks on Christian communities by extremist groups and armed herdsmen militia.
St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral stands as one of the oldest and most prominent Catholic churches in the region, serving a large congregation of predominantly Christian farmers.
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
The Taraba State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
Parishioners in Mourning
Heartbroken parishioners gathered at the scene this morning, many in tears as they surveyed the damage to their beloved place of worship.
“This is where we were baptized. This is where we got married. This is where we buried our parents. And now they have burned it down,” one elderly woman sobbed.
Security Response
As of the time of this report, security agencies had not issued an official statement regarding the attack. However, sources indicate that military and police units have been deployed to Wukari to prevent further violence and begin investigations.
The attackers are believed to have fled the scene before security forces arrived.
Pattern of Attacks
The burning of St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral follows a disturbing pattern of attacks on Christian places of worship across Northern Nigeria.
| Recent Attacks | Location | Target |
|---|---|---|
| St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral | Wukari, Taraba | Church set ablaze |
| [Previous attacks context] | Multiple states | Churches, Christians |
Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised alarm over the targeting of religious minorities in Nigeria’s conflict zones.
Condemnations
The attack has drawn condemnation from various quarters:
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Civil society groups have called for urgent federal intervention
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Religious leaders across denominations have expressed solidarity with Wukari Catholics
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International observers have urged the Nigerian government to protect religious freedom
What We Know So Far
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Wukari, Taraba State |
| Attackers | Suspected Islamist jihadists |
| Time | Late night |
| Damage | Roof and windows destroyed by fire |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Heroic Act | Fr James Oliver rescued the Blessed Sacrament |
| Security | Deployed to area; investigation ongoing |
Call for Prayers
Fr James Oliver has reportedly called on Christians to pray for the diocese and for the conversion of those who seek to destroy the Church.
In a message conveyed through church sources, he said: “They can burn the building, but they cannot burn our faith.”
Ejes Gist News Nigeria will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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