Bauchi State: Police arrest 8 suspects over church bombing plot

Eight persons, suspected of allegedly attempting a bomb attack on a rival faction of their own church, have been arrested the Bauchi state police confirmed.

According to the Reuters report, the attempted attack had taken place only hours after the suicide bombing of the Church of Christ in Nigeria in Jos, Plateau state.

Police in Bauchi say the suspects, who are reportedly not members of the radical sect, were caught with explosives in their possession, as well as other weapons, at the Evangelical Church of West Africa.

“Some people attempted to attack the ECWA Church. It was a rival group within the church … this morning,” police Commissioner Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba told Reuters in a phone interview.

“When we got the report we sent our men who arrested about eight of them and seized the explosives.”

Earlier today, a lone suicide bomber driving a black car packed with explosives had rammed the gates of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, only 30 minutes into the morning service.

Nigeria emergency services say three people were killed and at least 38 injured. Witnesses say the gates had been closed for the worship session when suicide bomber had attempted to force his way in.

He detonated the device and brought the service to a premature dreadful end.

Radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the attacks, which they say were without reason.

They also promised more attacks on the way, which many fear will lead to a wider rift between both religions.