MEMBERS of the church that lost 25 worshippers on Christmas Day were struggling yesterday to free themselves from the terrible hangover of the horror.

St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was the scene of the Sunday bombings by Boko Haram.

A church member, apparently still shocked by the horrific scene, yesterday relayed how it all happened.

Mr. Francis Raphael said a suicide bomber actually ran into part of the congregation.

His account contradicted that of the National Security Adviser, Gen. Azazi Owoye, who said the perpetrators of the explosions threw bombs at the members of the church who were coming out after an early morning mass.

Raphael, a member of the church’s Security Committee, said the suicide bomber came in a “clean” Toyota Camry Car.

The church allowed Raphael to speak with reporters because he is perhaps the only surviving member of the security team on duty on Sunday.

A policeman, who also survived, was still regarded as a “living victim” because he is in a critical condition.

Raphael, who is injured in the head, said the suicide bomber died with scores of congregation members.

The survivor, who was at the gates of the church when the explosions occurred, said the bomber defied police and church operatives when he was flagged down.

His head bandaged, Raphael narrated how three policemen and a church security worker, Peter Ehis, made a desperate bid to stop the bomber for a check, but he accelerated and rammed into scores of parishioners trooping out of the church.

He said he was sure that about 90per cent of the members of the congregation were at the entrance of the church when the bomber ran into them on top speed.

Raphael said: “It was an impact bomb. The incident happened few minutes before 8am when the first mass ended and people were coming out. I was under a cashew tree, directly under the fence of the second gate.

“Immediately after the first mass, we were trying to disperse and there were many people outside the church.

“The suicide bomber came with a golden colour Camry car. The flashy and clean car was coming from Suleija end. The car was almost like new and the glasses were clear, not tinted.

“The suicide bomber wound up all the side glasses. He must have been playing music or making some incantations or saying his last prayers.

“We had two security personnel and a youth member at the first gate. The policemen tried to stop him but the car refused to stop. The youth member did the same thing to stop him, he refused. The youth member decided to follow him, to monitor him.

“Instead, the man wound up the glasses, drove slowly. After about five seconds, he turned the vehicle with one of his back tyres almost stepping on the youth member. He turned the vehicle, facing the parish and the culvert.

“As soon as he turned, he accelerated, as if he wanted to fly and ran into them. As soon as he crashed, the bomb exploded. It was after the crash that the thing exploded. So, he moved the car and entered into the scores of parishioners.

“The traffic man and the youth member died. The youth member, Peter Ehis, was so close to the car. He was directly behind the car. They said he also died alongside an Inspector at the first gate.

“The suicide bomber died with his victims. I cannot recall whether he was in the car with any other person. But the car was brand new golden colour Toyota Camry.

“I was thrown aside. I stood up thrice. After, I was treated at the Daughters of Charity Home but could not be admitted. I had to go back to the hospital this morning for treatment.

“I still have some shock. I thank God that I am alive. The suicide bomber was not on speed; he drove slowly, then he stopped, but with great acceleration, he ran into those coming out.

“If I am to say, let me say that about 90 per cent of the parishioners were outside the church when the suicide bomber struck.

“The death toll of 25 was far from it. I said scores of persons died in the explosions.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/31228-how-we-were-bombed-by-church-security-chief.html


YOU CAN IMAGINE A WHOLE NATION'S CHIEF SECURITY ADVISER (Andrew Azazi) REPORTING DIFFERENTLY OF WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE MANDALLA'S BLAST. WHAT A COUNTRY!!!

Anything goes!
Na 9ja we dey.
person wey die don die be that.

[flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zye0qajNTLc[/flash]

Inside Story - Nigeria's Christmas Day bombings