Another Sunday turned bloody yesterday when over 44 people were killed in three different bomb attacks on different churches in the city of Kaduna and Zaria respectively. It was reported that those killed in a reprisal after three churches were attacked were also part of the 44 victims.
As a result of this ugly development, a 24-hour curfew had been imposed in order to avoid further killings.
President Goodluck Jonathan who had responded to this development had expressed great sadness over this development.
The two leaders of the Upper and lower arms of the law making body had equally expressed their great disappointment over the development calling for calm in the state.
Mean while Dailypost had gathered that problem started when a Children Sunday School at ECWA Church, Wusasa, Zaria, was attacked leaving the sunday school teacher, and 10 children dead. It was reported that four children who were seen playing outside the church hall were all killed before the attackers got their explosives into the church hall.
Eye witness reported that five men ran into the church and threw in some detonated bombs the church door. The bombers who took to their heels were allegedly caught by some youths and beaten to death.
Alos 11 worshippers at the Christ the King Catholic Cathedral, Zaria were killed when a suicide bomber came into the church and got his bomb detonated. It was confirmed by an eye witness who escaped through the window of the church that aside from the 11 people, over 40 worshippers were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries.
Also the Shalom Church International located in Trikania, Kaduna was attacked by another suicide bomber, killing over 5 people a leaving many other worshippers injured.
Two people manning the gate of the church and other two members were those killed when the suicide bomber drove into the church gate. A soldier was also killed in the attack.
The different attacks which took place during church service in the morning led to a reprisal as organized by some Christian youth who stormed the streets in search Muslims.
It was reported that property as well as mosques belonging to the Hausa/ Fulanis were attacked while three Muslims were killed during the attack.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Jinjiri, who was contacted to ascertain the true state of things, said he was not in the right position to say anything as at then: “Sorry, I cannot say anything to you now. We are still counting the casualties. I will speak to you later. Please bear with me. We are still going round, trying to bring things under control.”
In Sabo area of the State, thick dark smoke filled the air from goods believed to belong to Muslims which were set ablaze by the angry Christian youth.
About 500 Muslim traders in Sabo market who got trapped in the violence ran to a nearby army post for safety.Helicopter and Military patrol vans were seen patrolling around the state.
Public Relations Officer of St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, Mr. Sunday Ali, confirmed thus “From what we have here, 22 corpses had been deposited. We are presently treating 71 people with various kinds of injuries. And more are being brought in. I don’t know if the dead or wounded are from the bombed church or from reprisal attacks. Our work here is to treat them. I will not be surprised if more victims are brought in later.” Time was 7.45pm.
Report from Zaria still remained sketchy as at the time this report was filed.
Meanwhile, a 24 hour Curfew has been imposed by Yakowa just for normalcy to return to the state.
Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Reuben Buhari, in a statement said: “Governor Yakowa condemns in its entirety the unfortunate bombing of three churches in Wusasa in Zaria Local Government Area, Sabon Gari Local Government Area and Trikania, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
“While regretting the unfortunate incident, I convey my deepest condolence and sympathy to all those affected in the bombing. In view of the incidents and the need to have complete normalcy and to forestall further break down of law and order, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the whole state.
“The curfew hours start with immediate effect until further notice. Government regrets the inconveniences this drastic measure will cause all and sundry. But the state government considers this to be necessary in order to avert further loss of lives and property in the state. The state government had directed the security agencies to enforce compliance,” he said.
Comments