By Abasi ItaÂ
The Chief Whip of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, has condemned the arson attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Katchuan Irruan, describing it as a grave assault on faith and communal harmony.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, February 26, 2026, when unidentified persons reportedly forced their way into the church premises and set parts of the building on fire. The blaze destroyed the consecrated altar, sacred vessels and other items used for worship. Two vehicles belonging to the Parish Priest and his guests were also burnt during the incident.
The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew, who recently resumed duties in Irruan after years of service at St. Finan Parish, Iso Bendeghe, was not harmed.
In a statement issued in Calabar, Bisong described the act as more than mere vandalism, calling it a calculated violation of a sacred space and an affront to civilized values. He said a place of worship represents hope, moral direction and the spiritual life of a people, and that desecrating it strikes at the conscience of the community.
The lawmaker praised members of the Catholic faithful and residents of Irruan in Boki Local Government Area for maintaining calm and choosing prayer over retaliation in the wake of the incident. He noted that their peaceful response reflected maturity and respect for the rule of law.
Bisong urged security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted. He stressed that swift action would restore public confidence and deter future attacks on religious institutions.
He also observed that Cross River State has long been known for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence under Governor Bassey Otu, adding that no act of criminality should be allowed to disrupt that record.
Reaffirming his solidarity with the church and the Irruan community, Bisong assured residents that government authorities remain committed to protecting lives, property and all places of worship across the state. He expressed optimism that justice would prevail and that the unity of the community would remain intact despite the attack.