St Mary Quasi Parish Catholic Church, Katchuan Irruan, in Boki Local Government Area of northern Cross River State has been set ablaze by persons yet to be identified.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, at about 3 a.m., throwing the community into deep shock and confusion.
It was gathered that attackers invaded the church premises before setting parts of the building on fire.
A church statement said the attackers gained unlawful entry into the facility and set fire to the Sacrament area, causing extensive damage to sacred items and sections of the altar.
It added that vehicles belonging to the parish priest, which were parked within the church compound, were also torched during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command said it had launched a manhunt for those responsible for the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said preliminary information indicated that the arsonists burnt records kept in the church sacristy and destroyed a Lexus RX 350 and a Toyota Corolla belonging to the priest.
Akata added that no arrests had been made, noting that the case has been formally recorded and transferred to Okundi Police Station for discreet investigation, with assurances that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
