KADUNA
– (AFP) – A suspected suicide attacker slammed a car bomb into a church
during services on Sunday in the city of Kaduna, killing two other people and
sparking reprisal attacks by Christians. Christian
youths took to the streets with machetes and sticks afterward, targeting people
they believed to be Muslims as anger again boiled over due to the repeated
church bombings in recent months, an AFP correspondent reported.
– (AFP) – A suspected suicide attacker slammed a car bomb into a church
during services on Sunday in the city of Kaduna, killing two other people and
sparking reprisal attacks by Christians. Christian
youths took to the streets with machetes and sticks afterward, targeting people
they believed to be Muslims as anger again boiled over due to the repeated
church bombings in recent months, an AFP correspondent reported.
A
vehicle for rescue workers was attacked in the ensuing violence, but there was
no indication that rescuers were wounded.
vehicle for rescue workers was attacked in the ensuing violence, but there was
no indication that rescuers were wounded.
“At
least three people are confirmed dead,” a rescue official said on condition of
anonymity because he was not authorised to give out figures. He was speaking of
the toll from the suicide bombing.
least three people are confirmed dead,” a rescue official said on condition of
anonymity because he was not authorised to give out figures. He was speaking of
the toll from the suicide bombing.
He
added later that the toll included the suspected attacker and that there were a
number of injuries.
added later that the toll included the suspected attacker and that there were a
number of injuries.
The
strong blast that saw the attacker ram what residents said was an SUV into St.
Rita church shook the neighbourhood and led to the reprisals in the city
previously hit by violence blamed on Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.
strong blast that saw the attacker ram what residents said was an SUV into St.
Rita church shook the neighbourhood and led to the reprisals in the city
previously hit by violence blamed on Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.
The
rescue source said the attacker had sought to drive into the church, but seemed
to have hit a barrier. Others in the area said the bomber continued to drive
after hitting the church wall and made his way inside the church premises.
rescue source said the attacker had sought to drive into the church, but seemed
to have hit a barrier. Others in the area said the bomber continued to drive
after hitting the church wall and made his way inside the church premises.
“All
of a sudden it drove on high speed and rammed into the church wall, forcing its
way into the church premises,” said witness Samuel Emmanuel.
of a sudden it drove on high speed and rammed into the church wall, forcing its
way into the church premises,” said witness Samuel Emmanuel.
“Initially
I thought the driver had lost control of the vehicle. Suddenly there was a huge
explosion as the car reached the church building. It was dust, fire and smoke
all over.”
I thought the driver had lost control of the vehicle. Suddenly there was a huge
explosion as the car reached the church building. It was dust, fire and smoke
all over.”
A
spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency said it had
received reports of a bomb blast in the area of a Catholic church and rushed
rescuers to the scene.
spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency said it had
received reports of a bomb blast in the area of a Catholic church and rushed
rescuers to the scene.
“They
were talking about a bomb explosion,” said Yushau Shuaib of the reports, while
adding that his agency was however seeking to confirm details.
were talking about a bomb explosion,” said Yushau Shuaib of the reports, while
adding that his agency was however seeking to confirm details.
“A
number of casualties evacuated to hospitals. The incident was suspected to be
triggered by a suicide bomber in a car …”
number of casualties evacuated to hospitals. The incident was suspected to be
triggered by a suicide bomber in a car …”
He
said later that a rescue vehicle had been attacked in the violence afterward,
but no workers were wounded.
said later that a rescue vehicle had been attacked in the violence afterward,
but no workers were wounded.
An
AFP correspondent said mobs were yelling “why the church?” and some were
carrying weapons, including machetes. Local elders were seeking to restore
calm.
AFP correspondent said mobs were yelling “why the church?” and some were
carrying weapons, including machetes. Local elders were seeking to restore
calm.
Residents
had earlier spoken of clashes having broken out between Christian and Muslim
residents.
had earlier spoken of clashes having broken out between Christian and Muslim
residents.
The
explosion occurred in the Malali area of the city. Kaduna, a major city in
Nigeria’s north, has been previously hit by attacks blamed on Boko Haram.
explosion occurred in the Malali area of the city. Kaduna, a major city in
Nigeria’s north, has been previously hit by attacks blamed on Boko Haram.
The
attack came after Friday’s Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, but it was not clear if
there was any link.
attack came after Friday’s Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, but it was not clear if
there was any link.
In
June, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks on churches
in Kaduna state, where the city of Kaduna is located, which led to deadly
rioting. Dozens of people were killed in the violence.
June, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks on churches
in Kaduna state, where the city of Kaduna is located, which led to deadly
rioting. Dozens of people were killed in the violence.
Boko
Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria has led to more than 2,800
deaths since 2009. While Muslims have often been its victims, it has in recent
months specifically targeted churches.
Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria has led to more than 2,800
deaths since 2009. While Muslims have often been its victims, it has in recent
months specifically targeted churches.
President
Goodluck Jonathan has said the group is seeking to incite a religious crisis in
Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, roughly divided between
a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.
Goodluck Jonathan has said the group is seeking to incite a religious crisis in
Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, roughly divided between
a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.
Kaduna
is a large city in the north and with a sizable Christian population.
Nigerians have grown increasingly frustrated with security forces’ inability to
stop Boko Haram attacks, and there have been warnings of more reprisals if the
violence continued.
is a large city in the north and with a sizable Christian population.
Nigerians have grown increasingly frustrated with security forces’ inability to
stop Boko Haram attacks, and there have been warnings of more reprisals if the
violence continued.
Some
Evangelical church leaders have said Christians may be forced to defend
themselves if something is not done to address the violence.
Evangelical church leaders have said Christians may be forced to defend
themselves if something is not done to address the violence.
