The Secretary of Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Cornelius Fawenu, has chided the authorities of the state police command for their alleged apathy to the arson at one of the branches of the Living Faith Church in Ilorin.

According to Fawenu, who spoke Thursday in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, the police were yet to apprehend any suspect "in such a sensitive matter, especially the principal suspect we mentioned to them."

Two days ago, some youth of yet to be identified religious group numbering over 100 stormed the church with some liquid suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and set the building ablaze.

The immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who is also the Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Ishiaq Oloyede, was fingered in the events leading to the arson. But Oloyede denied the allegation, claiming that he was simply playing a mediatory role.

When The Guardian visited the Police Headquarters along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin, at about 12noon yesterday, the Commissioner Chinwike Asadu, was said not to be on seat. But sources claimed that Asadu was at his country home for the wedding of one of his children.

Besides, the command's spokesman, Olufemi Fabode, said he was on casual leave and could therefore not be in good position to comment on the development.
The youth wing of the CAN yesterday at dawn gathered around the burnt building praying for "God's visitation" on all those behind the arson and their families.

Meanwhile, a group that identified itself as Congress for Compressive Change (CPC), Kwara State chapter, has condemned the criminal act of arson on the church at the checkpoint axis of the Ilorin International Airport by some anarchists.

"We at the CPC firmly believe that no matter the gravity of the alleged provocation from either side of faith, the best approach should have been dialogue and peaceful mediation," the body said.

According to the chairman of the group, Alhaji Buhari Suleiman, "the reaction of the few criminals, which obviously does not represent the peaceful and mature disposition of the good people of Kwara State to sensitive issues like religion and politics, is not only condemnable but especially worrisome.