48 killed in Kaduna, Zaria church attacks 0
KADUNA — For the second Sunday running, blood flowed again yesterday as 48 persons were killed in three separate coordinated bomb attacks on churches in Kaduna, Zaria and retaliatory attacks.
Meanwhile, a 24-hour curfew had been imposed in the state to prevent further attacks and retaliatory attacks. President Goodluck Jonathan in his response, expressed sadness over the attacks.
Senate President, David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, have condemned the attacks and called for calm.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said that only 16 persons were killed in the attacks. Vanguard gathered that the first attack was at a Children Sunday School at ECWA Church, Wusasa, Zaria, which left the sunday school teacher, and 10 children dead. Four children playing outside the church were among the first victims of the blasts at the church.
A witness said that five men ran up to the church and hurled home-made bombs through its open door. They were allegedly chased down and reportedly beaten to death. Police could not confirm this.
At Christ the King Catholic Cathedral, Zaria, also attacked by a suicide bomber, 11 worshipers were killed, narrated a member of the church, who escaped through the window. Malachy Achu, a dentist, a member of the church, said those injured in the blast could not be less than 40.
In Kaduna, Shalom Church International, Trikania, Kaduna was hit by another suicide bomber, leaving about five worshippers dead and scores injured.
Among the dead at the church in Kaduna were three persons securing the Church’s gate, while two others were killed when the suicide bomber crashed his car through the gate of the church. A soldier was among the casualty.
Three killed in reprisal attacks
The attacks which took place at 9am, provoked Christian youths in Kaduna and its environs.
Mosques and property belonging to Hausa/Fulani Muslims were torched and reports said three Muslims were killed in the retaliatory attacks.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Jinjiri, when contacted, said: “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 the Christian dominated Sabo area, thick dark smoke filled the air from goods believed to belong to Muslims which were either destroyed or vandalised.
No fewer than 500 Muslim traders in Sabo market trapped in the violence ran to a nearby army post for refuge. Some managed to move their herd of about 50 cows to safety at the army post.
An Air Force helicopter hovered over Kaduna, as police and military patrol vans sped through major streets of the town, warning trouble makers to stay off the streets.
Public Relations Officer of St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, Mr. Sunday Ali, who spoke to Vanguard on phone said on the casualties: “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.
A source at the 44 Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna, said no casualty had been brought to the hospital.
Reports from Zaria remained sketchy on the situation after the blast, but it was gathered that most of the injured were taken to Shika, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Teaching Hospital, and St Luke Hospital, Wusasa, Zaria.
At press time, normalcy was being restored to the blasts areas after a 24-hour curfew was declared by state governor Patrick Yakowa.
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