Suicide bombers attack Gov Jang’s church • Police
recover explosives from Christians in Bauchi
FEBRUARY 27, 2012 BY JOHN ALECHENU, IHUOMA
CHIEDOZIE AND JUDE ONWUAMANAM
TWO suicide bombers, suspected to be members of the
terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Sunday morning
attacked a church where Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang
worships in Jos, killing two worshippers.
The two bombers also died. Four others died in the angry
protest by Jos youths that followed the incident. Thirty-eight
other persons reportedly sustained injuries from the
bombing.
The sect in a statement by its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, has
claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack came even as the police claimed they defused
two bombs planted at their barracks in Gombe.
Jang was said to have escaped the attack because he was
not at the first service that started at 7.00am. The governor
usually attends the second service, conducted in Hausa
language, at 11.00am.
The attacked Church of Christ in Nigeria is an indigenous
church attended by notable citizens of the state, including
former governors Solomon Lar and Joshua Dariye.
The dead bombers were said to have rammed their vehicle,
a Volkswagen Bora car, into the gates of the church and had
attempted to drive all the way into the church auditorium.
Their car, however, got caught at a point amid motorcycles
parked within the premises. Eyewitnesses said the car
exploded immediately it got stuck, killing the bombers even
as they tried to escape from the vehicle.
The killers’ car was said to have followed the patrol van of
the Special Task Force onto the church and attempted
forcing its way through as the van entered the premises.
Another account however said the bombers were dressed in
army uniforms and that they were allowed into the church
premises by a soldier at the gate who apparently mistook
them for his colleagues.
When news reached the Jos youths that the bombers were
dressed in army uniform, they took to the streets and threw
stones at soldiers.
While security agents cordoned off the area where the
church is located, the angry youths reportedly mounted a
road block where they attacked and killed four other people.
President Goodluck Jonathan, in his reaction to the Jos
incident on Sunday, said those seeking to divide the country
through terrorism would not succeed.
The President who spoke through his spokesman, Reuben
Abati, commiserated with the victims of the incident and
assured them that security agents would go after the
perpetrators.
The statement by Abati says, “It is with great sadness that
President Goodluck Jonathan received the news of the
suicide bombing, today, at the Headquarters of the Church
of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau state, and the
mindless acts of reprisal that followed the incident.
“Mr. President conveys his sympathies and condolences to
the victims of the odious acts.Those who seek to divide us
by fear and terror will not succeed.
“The indiscriminate bombing of Christians and Muslims is a
threat to all peace-loving Nigerians.
“Mr. President will continue to stand firm to ensure the
safety and security of all Nigerians while ensuring that the
relevant institutions move against those who disregard the
sanctity of life in the pursuit of sectarian ambitions.”
It adds, “Government is gradually and firmly bringing justice
to those behind these attacks and exposing their identities
and dismantling their terror infrastructure.
“President Jonathan appeals to all residents of Plateau State
to remain calm and be law abiding.
“As we mourn with today’s victims, let it be known that
efforts are being redoubled to win the war against terror.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students described the
Jos bombing as “one blast too many.”
The students in a statement by National President of NANS
say, “We want to categorically use this medium to declare
these acts of bombing of innocent citizens as a cowardly act
by the terrorist groups and their sponsors.
“It is so unfortunate that this group and their sponsors are
hell bent on truncating our nascent democracy and the
peaceful coexistence of our people.
“We hereby want to once again call on the Federal
government to consider our repeated call for the
convocation of a National stakeholder’s conference on
National security in order to challenge the growing threat of
terrorism against our country.
“The responsibility of our protection as Nigerians can no
longer be left in the hands of the government alone as we
hereby call on “Nigerians to be more vigilant and give
necessary support to the security agencies.”
Meanwhile, the police in Bauchi State on Sunday said they
averted a clash between two rival factions of the COCIN in
Toro/Tilden Fulani area of the state.
The Bauchi State police commissioner, Ikechukwu Aduba,
said in a statement that an improvised explosive device was
recovered from a member of one of the feuding factions.
Aduba’s statement reads, “Our intelligence source indicates
that there have been a lingering rivalry and acrimony
between two factions of the COCIN church adherents within
Toro/Tilden Fulani axis of Bauchi State, and this said rivalry
came to a head today Sunday, February 26, 2012 at about
0805hrs, when one of the factions stormed COCIN church,
Unguwan Ring, Tilden Fulani and demanded for documents
belonging to the Church, and which said demand led to a
row.
“Acting on information, a crack team of detectives from
Bauchi State Police Command were quickly dispatched to
the church and this timely intervention prevented the
occurrence of some unwholesome violence in Bauchi State
today, as the detectives rounded-up the rivalry factions cum
suspects, and upon on-the-spot search conducted
recovered an Improvised Explosive Device from one of the
suspects, thus thwarting the evil machination of the culprits.
“Our bomb experts, having successfully disarmed the
recovered IED, has further confirmed that it is a complete
bomb, manually operated, and that this is the second time
we are seeing this kind of IED as it is clearly similar to those
used in the foiled Ganjuwa invasion; very potent and
dangerous!
“So far eight suspects have been arrested in connection with
this case and are currently helping the Police to tidy-up
investigations after which they will be made to face the full
wraths of the law.”
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Am aware of the provisions of the Nigerian constitution though not in detail as it concerns murder on the grounds of self defence now to what extent can a Christian go in defence of his right to live especially with a senseless group of mad individuals who call themselves Boko Haram on the lose and on rampage attacking Churches and Christians. At what point do we repond with the provisions of the law and in accordance with Bible teachings defend ourselves even if that meaning killing another person.

This issue really is a difficult issue to handle for all parties involved. I think the government to get a strong and huge marketing campaign to unify the country, that's what happened in Southern Africa to avoid tribal wars. When people feel united they do not need to have their defenses up all the time. Now they're taking advantage of the division that's always been there amongst Nigerians. The government should try and take a new direction in dealing with this matter. Where I am they call it the african spirit, the concept of ubuntu which means humanity. Your brother is my brother. We are one. No I'm Igbo or from nothern Nigeria etc . Don't you agree?

Sure that makes Some sense but firstly who is the government and secondly, how long do we have to wait for this "government". thanks for your comments