adminThe first bomb attack struck minutes after Sunday mass in the town of Jaji, the latest such attack against Christians in the west African nation where the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has waged a deadly campaign. A military officer said the first explosion did not cause any casualties, but drew people who were leaving church to the area ahead of the second blast. Those killed included soldiers, but it was not clear how many, a military spokesman said.
It was not immediately clear how the bombers were able to enter the military barracks. While civilians are often allowed inside barracks in Nigeria, security has been tightened due to repeated Islamist attacks.
“There were twin suicide bombings today at St. Andrew Military Protestant Church,” army spokesman Brigadier General Bola Koleoso told AFP.
“A bus first ran into the church and exploded about five minutes after service while a Toyota Camry parked outside the church detonated 10 minutes later.”
He said 11 people were killed and at least 30 had been taken to hospitals with various injuries.
“Investigation into the bombings have commenced and the area already cordoned off,” he added.
A military officer said on condition of anonymity that “the first blast caused no casualties and curious worshippers gathered around the scene looking at the debris… and that was when the second blast happened.”
Jaji lies some 30 kilometres from the state capital Kaduna city which has been hit in the past by deadly attacks blamed on Boko Haram.
The group has often targeted churches in its bloody insurgency, as well as police and other symbols of the establishment in Nigeria. —AFP
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter