Nigeria: Suicide Bombers Attacked Governor's Church

At least eight persons died Sunday following a suicide bomb attack on the headquarters of Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Jos, Plateau State, during the church's first service at 7.15am.

Governor David Jonah Jang normally attends the second service which starts at 9am.

An eye witness, Mr. Salvation Goshit, said three of the worshipers and one of the bombers died on the spot, while the other bomber who jumped out of the car before the explosion was lynched by angry youths.

Three motorcyclists (Okada riders) were also reported killed near Hill-Station junction, when they fell into the hands of the angry youths, before the security agents took over the streets.

Furthermore, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, who was worshipping at the church during the attack, was mobbed by the youths when he tried to shield a soldier believed to have aided the bombers to gain entry into the church premises.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Jang has appealed for calm, saying he knew that the enemies of the state were not happy with the prevailing peace there.

Jang said: "I am not surprised that the church was attacked, because they know that is where I worship."

He said government and security agents were taking every measure to ensure that worship places were adequately protected.

He said: "If we are to riot, against whom would we riot? Let's ensure we sustain the existing peace."

A church security guard at the gate, Mr. John Zafi, said at about 7.15am, he saw a Volkswagen Bora car turning swiftly into the church's compound, and before he could stop it, it rammed into the gate.

"Fortunately, there was a motorcycle parked in the compound," Zafi continued. "The car ran into it, squeezed it, and dragged it along. This and the heaps of sand from the new church building that is under construction prevented the bombers' car from getting very close to the building where the people were worshipping."

Another worshipper said he saw three persons in the car, one in military uniform, and the others in mufti.

He said the one in uniform got out of the car before it rammed into the compound, adding that his presence in the car might have paved the way for the car to get to the church without being searched at the various checkpoints in the town.

According to him, the youths wanted to attack the uniformed man when the commissioner prevented them, leading to an attack on the commissioner, who is now receiving treatment at a hospital.

Reacting to the involvement of a suspected soldier, the member representing Jos South/Jos East federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bitrus Kaze, said if it was true, "then it is a very sad development".

COCIN headquarters church is where most of the bigwigs on the Plateau worship. Apart from the governor, others include former governor of the state, Chief Joshua Dariye, Chief Solomon Lar, Gen. Domkat Bali, Gen. John Timlong, and Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro.

A press statement by the military Special Task Force (STF) in Jos said: "The suspected suicide bombers arrived the premises of the church in a Golf Car. The Improvised Explosive Devices exploded with one of the bombers inside the vehicle, while the other suspect that alighted and attempted to escape was killed in the process."

The statement signed by the STF spokesman, Captain Mdahyelya Markus, said the explosion damaged some vehicles at the premises, but enjoined the citizens not to be lawless in their response.

Also, the state Police Commis-sioner, Mr. Emmanuel Dipo Ayeni, who was at the scene of the explosion and at the hospital to see the victims, said investigations were on to unravel those behind it.

At the Plateau Specialist Hospital, where the wounded victims were taken, a compound nurse, Mrs. Esther Gwotts, told journalists that two bodies were brought to the mortuary, while 38 persons are on admission.

Other victims were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

Part of the church's new building was badly damaged, and several cars had their windshields shattered.

President Goodluck Jonathan last night expressed sadness over the bomb attack, saying the "indiscriminate bombing of Christians and Muslims is a threat to all peace-loving Nigerians".

"Government is gradually and firmly bringing justice to those behind these attacks and exposing their identities and dismantling their terror infrastructure. Those behind similar acts of terror in recent times have been arrested and are being investigated with a view to prosecuting them accordingly, as a deterrent to others. President Jonathan appeals to all residents of Plateau State to remain calm and be law abiding. As we mourn with today's victims, let it be known that efforts are being redoubled to win the war against terror," a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said.

The Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lid Da'wati Wal Jihad, otherwise known as the Boko Haram sect, yesterday claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Speaking with journalists on the phone, the sect's spokesman, "Abu Qaqa", said the suicide bombing was a reprisal attack against what he described as "Christian terrorist activities against Muslims".

Qaqa warned that the sect would continue to carry out more of such attacks until Christians stopped their alleged atrocities against Muslims.

He also claimed the sect was responsible for the attack on Gombe prison, explaining that the sect launched the attack to free Muslims detained in the prison over their protest against the mutilation of the "Glorious Qur'an" allegedly done by some security men deployed to the city.

Qaqa also said the sect was responsible for the death of some Muslims who were shot while performing a congregational prayer in Kano, justifying the killing on the background that the slain Muslims assisted security men in arresting some of their members.

He also in the interview said the recent burning of a primary school in Maiduguri was the handiwork of the sect, revealing that the sect's action was in reaction to an alleged razing of an Islamiyya school and the mutilation of the "Glorious Qur'an" by some security men in Maiduguri.

He claimed that the attack of the school was not to kill the pupils and their teachers, but rather to warn the government that the sect would frustrate the progress of Western education if Islamiyya schools and Muslim's Holy Books were attacked again.

He, however, called on the members of the public to continue to bear the hardship brought about by the sect's war on the government and security agencies, insisting that the end justify the means.

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Nigeria: Suicide Bombers Attacked Governor's Church