Bomber, gunmen kill 12 in Jos, Biu churches

June 11, 2012 

large crowd gathered at the rubble of Lord's Chosen Church in Jos on Sunday.
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No fewer than 12 persons were killed in separate attacks on churches in Jos, Plateau State and in Biu, Borno State, on Sunday.

The Christ’s Chosen Church of God building on Rukuba Road, Jos was reduced to rubble after a suicide bomber drove a Volkswagen Vento car into the premises of the church around 11am and detonated his explosives.

At the end of the attack, which left the bomber dead, three members of the church were said to have been killed and 41 others seriously injured.

Our correspondent learnt that the suicide bomber initially headed for St Peter’s Catholic Church, which is about 100 meters off the major road, but the barricade mounted by youths prevented him from entering the church.

He then headed for Christ Chosen, which was close by.

large crowd gathered at the rubble of Lord's Chosen Church in Jos on Sunday.

Following the attack, it was learnt angry youths in the area immediately embarked on reprisal, killing seven persons.

The Director of Nursing Services at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Mrs. Maria Goni, said 51 persons wounded in the attack were admitted to the hospital.

She said two of the victims requiring urgent surgery were referred to Jos University Teaching Hospital.

One of the victims, Mr. Randy Odey, said, “It was as if the suicide bomber did not know where he was going or that he missed his target and was looking for another place because his car zoomed past the church and quickly drove on a reverse. Suddenly the car ran into the church at top speed. I stood by wondering what the driver was trying to do until I heard a blast.”

The pastor of the church, Monday Uzoka, his wife and two children were among those affected.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, who visited JUTH was told that Uzoka and another church elder were in “very critical situation’’.

State Police Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, who confirmed the attack, said two people died.

Spokesman for the Special Task Force, Capt. Markus Mdahyelya, in a statement, said four people were killed in reprisal following the bombing.

In Biu, gunmen opened fire during a service at an EYN Church, killing an usher and another worshipper, while others were injured. The Joint Military Task Force spokesman, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, confirmed the incident.

The AFP said, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Bala Hassan, also confirmed the attack, saying investigation had begun.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government condemned the attacks, describing them as “another dastardly act by those who have no respect for human life”.