Military authorities have confirmed that two suicide bombs hit a church inside a military barracks of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, in Jaji, Kaduna state, killing 11 people and injuring 30 others.
A military source confirmed that a bus entered the barracks and was driven into the wall of the Saint Andrews Protestant Church, where it exploded and ten minutes later another car blew up outside the church.
Though the first blast caused no casualties, the second blast however did as curious worshippers gathered around the scene of the first blast looking at the debris of the initial explosion.
The area has since been cordoned off.
No one or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Northern state Governors
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has commiserated with the Nigerian military over Sunday’s bomb blast which killed some worshippers at the Saint Andrews Protestant Church, describing the attack as “cruel and wicked.”
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in a statement made available to Channels TV stated that “the deceased were heroes who died in the course of service to our father land, and prayed that God will grant repose to their souls and give their families and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.”
On behalf of other governors, the statement reiterated its commitment to “continue to work closely with the federal government in finding a lasting solution to the security challenges confronting some parts of the north.”
This is the second bombing this year, targeted at military barracks of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna state with the explosions at the 1st Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna in February, while in October about 100 people were injured as eight lives were lost after a suspected suicide bomber rammed his car into the St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Malali area of the state.
Kaduna has also witnessed a number of other explosions this year with some targeted at worship centres.
The February bombings were a coordinated bomb explosions in three different parts of the city.
In August, a bomb explosion occurred in Kaduna metropolis, killing at least four people along Ali Akilu road between Abakpa Total/Shagalinku.
In September, a series of bomb explosions rocked the city of Zaria in Kaduna state, killing at least 3 people and injuring several others. The blast which took place at Tukur Tukur area near Barewa College, occurred when soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) stormed some buildings, which were inhabited by suspected members of Boko Haram sec
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A bomb explosion has claimed a number of lives at a church within the premises of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The explosion was reportedly caused by a car bomb which was detonated in front of the church inside the military barracks.
A military officer who witnessed the bombing and does not want to be named, told Reuters news agency that “I saw five bodies and scores injured.”
An official of the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) in Abuja, Mr Yushau A. Shuaib, has confirmed the explosion to Channels TV saying, “NEMA rescuers have been alerted to an explosion at a military formation in Kaduna state today and likely at a worship centre.”
The casualty figure is yet to be ascertained.
More details soon.
