Fear as unidentified turbanned man invades Catholic Church in Abuja

There was apprehension at Archangel Raphael Catholic Church, Garki Abuja, Police Barracks, on Sunday when an unidentified turbaned man invaded the church premises.

According to eyewitnesses, the man who wore sunglasses and a hat that had the inscription ‘POLICE” on it, did not have a tenable explanation when he was apprehended by those in the church.

He was also wearing a faded suspected US Army Fashion type camouflage trouser.

He drove a silver coloured Peugeot 406 with an Abuja number BWR-417HF.

The incident, it was gathered, happened shortly after Mass.

Narrating what happened, a lady who made a video of the incident on her cell phone said, “This is just happening here right now, a terrorist entered my church Archangel Raphael Catholic Church, Garki Abuja, Police Barracks. He dressed up with turban with a police face cap and dark shades. He drove to where the men were having meeting. We were shouting for him to stop. So we now shouted that people should come out and stop him and they now stopped him.

“So he now said he is here to see somebody. So they always have a pointer in the church, he said he wanted to see the guy. The pointer now came and said he does not know him. He said he is not his friend and he does not know him from anywhere. After much interrogation, he now said he is from Abia. Where in Abia, he could not say? He now said part of his relations they are from Ethiopia. So we asked what are you doing dressed like this.

“He now said he was going to call the Inspector General of Police. Meanwhile, in these barracks, we have those working for the IGP. We have the PPRO FCT. I am videoing his car. We saw some things in his car, drugs and everything. So we are just being careful now. And Catholic Church is their target now. So I beg all Catholics to tighten their security. Let us now take anything for granted. Now he is police station in Garki,” she said.

But reacting to the incident, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh said there was no cause for alarm.

In a message, she said “a middle-aged man was accosted by some of the worshipers after the mass, while the men’s fellowship was holding a meeting. The main object of suspicion was his dressing and the manner in which he drove in. Preliminary investigation however shows he had just returned to the country and had come into the barracks to seek an old friend whose address he cannot clearly remember.

“The church was not attacked, no arm or prohibited item was recovered in his possession except for a face cap customized “Police” which is neither an approved kit nor an accouterment in the Police dress order. He was also wearing a faded suspected US Army Fashion type camouflage trouser.

“Though fear and panic erupted due to recent happenings in some parts of the country, normalcy was immediately restored to the situation as the police were on ground to swing into action.

“While the investigation continues, members of the public are urged to go about their lawful duties without fear or apprehension. Once again, we advised the good people of the Territory to eschew the habit of promulgating news blown out of proportion or outright fake in narration. We shall continue to ensure that the FCT remains safe and peaceful for all and sundry,” she said. (The Nation)