Posted on 04/08/2012 9:26:33 PM PDT by Milagros
Boko Haram kills 36 in Kaduna - 3 sect members killed in Maiduguri - 10 killed in Nasarawa community clash - Britain condemns explosion, Pope prays for peace in Nigeria
Written by Hassan Ibrahim, Christian Okeke, James Bwala and Umar Muhammed Monday, 09 April 2012
ShareA powerful explosion that rocked a popular bus stop on Junction Road, Kaduna, on Sunday, left about 36 people dead. Most of the victims were okada riders and petty traders doing business near the Ahmadu Bello Stadium roundabout.
Although the police were yet to come out with an official figure of the casualties, spokesman for the Kaduna State Emergency Agency (SEMA), Abubakar Aza told newsmen that charred bodies of over 36 persons had since been evacuated from the scene of the explosion while several others with varying degrees of injury were taken to nearby hospitals.
The explosion, eyewitnesses said, occurred at about 9.00 a.m. while Christian worshippers were in churches around the area. But as soon as people started running for dear life, traffic along the ever busy Junction Road that links the northern part of the city with the southern part was paralysed and worshippers abandoned church services in multitudes.
An eyewitness, Mr Nwachukwu, who was on his way to church, said as he was waiting for a bus with other commuters near the Sardauna Crescent, he saw a man wearing combat shorts coming out from a Honda car but within the twinkle of an eye, the man could not be seen as a powerful explosion rocked the area.
The suicide bomber was roasted in the explosion as he tried to flee, while his car that was carrying the explosive devices was shattered leaving only the damaged engine by the roadside.
Pandemonium ensued in the area as the powerful explosion, which was heard seven kilometres away, also affected buildings along Junction Road. These included the Marhaba Hotel, Pejay Hotel, the FirstBank and residential buildings.
Although no group or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the explosion, security agents were of the belief that the suicide bomber might have been heading towards the southern part of the state capital before the incident occurred. The explosion was described as the worst that had ever happened in Kaduna.
According to Malam Zakari, who was mourning the death of a friend, "bodies of victims blown into pieces littered the streets around the scene of the explosion, including tea vendors, a bean cake seller, a fruit seller and a local woman selling akara. Their wares were seen at the scene of the explosion. The bomb went off instantly killing the bombers and over 20 commercial motorcyclists.
"The car carrying the explosive device was a 2003 Honda End Of Discussion with registration number BB111DKA.The injured persons were taken to St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, Barau Dikko Hospital, Rakiya Hospital and 44 Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna. Red Cross staff had collected five dead bodies and were treating 15 who were seriously injured. There would probably be more casualties because police and other emergency workers also collected bodies.
"The blast shattered windows of nearby churches and business premises. Many vehicles were also destroyed. It was a big bomb because it created a huge hole in the ground," he narrated.
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, said intelligence report received said two suspected vehicles heading towards the Kakuri / Sabon Tasha axis exploded while on transit.
"The two vehicles were pursued by Detective Corporal Francis Marcus, and then suddenly one of the vehicles hit the other, thereby causing a serious bomb explosion between the two vehicles on Junction Road by Sardauna Crescent in Kaduna. The bomb explosion was massive which resulted in the death of the suicide bomber and five persons with 16 people who were passers-by, injured.
"Police and other security agencies are investigating the issue and final report will soon be made public.
"I want to appeal to the people of the state to remain calm and to go about their lawful business and to report any suspicious movement to security agents for further investigation and action," he said.
According to two survivors receiving treatment at Saint Gerald Hospital, "we were both riding on top of a motorcycle, when suddenly the vehicle in front of us exploded. There was a thick smoke and the motorcycle rider died instantly.
"The car just exploded in front of us; we were just lucky to escape with body and limb injuries, because we were riding in between the moving suicide car and a CRV that was completely destroyed by the bombers. But the okada rider was not that lucky. The car was said to be speeding to its targeted destination before it accidentally exploded at the 'T' junction and left a big hole in the middle of the road."
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi, in an interview at the scene of the blast, told newsmen that even though NEMA was yet to ascertain the exact figures of the casualties, the agency would foot the medical bill of all those receiving treatment in hospitals.
He said NEMA was taking body-bags to hospitals and would come up with an official figure of casualties.
Britain condemns explosion The British Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, has condemned bomb attacks in Nigeria, condoling the government of Nigeria and its people.
"I condemn today’s bomb attacks on the Nigerian city of Kaduna. This horrific act took place on Easter Sunday, injuring and killing innocent people. The full tragedy of the attacks is not yet clear, but I send my sincere condolences to those who have been injured or bereaved," the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order in Borno State has said that information received from a Samaritan revealed that the Boko Haram sect members responsible for the killing of 11 people at the Maiduguri Monday Market last week were living in Bulabulin ward of the metropolis.
According to the spokesman for the JTF, Lieutenant-Colonel Shamsu Musa, men of the JTF cordoned off the area and searched in the early hours of Sunday, which resulted in the attack on the hideout of the sect members, leading to the death of three while two were arrested.
"Found in the possession of the sect members were one FN rifle, two locally made pistols and 185 rounds of assorted ammunition," he explained.
According to the spokesman, the JTF also discovered an improvised explosive device at Kwanar Yobe at about 15:30 hours today (Sunday).
He said the IED was defused by the bomb disposal arm of the task force shortly after discovery.
In another development, over 10 people were killed in early hours cla-shes among Fulani, Mada and Eggon communities in Angwan Hausawa Sangaya in Yelwa Ediya district, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Saturday.
The district head of the area, Mr Yusuf Dalami, said the crisis started when one Oduri, a native of Mada, went to his farm only to see a Fulani man with his cows grazing at his farm.
Danlami said the Fulani man engaged Oduri in a fight and injured him with his knife, adding that Oduri died at Dalhatu Specialist Hospital later, due to loss of much blood.
He said a mentally retarded person, Dan Kuje, who was also at the scene of the incident, was killed by a stray bullet.
The corpses of the two, according to the district head, had been buried according to Islamic rites.
In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Dalami said Fulani men also inflicted serious injuries on several other people who were receiving treatment at the Dalhatu Specialist Hospital, Lafia, adding that they also went ahead to kill an elderly man whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Confirming the incident to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and some officials on his entourage, while they visited the scene of the incident, Mr Danlami said Fulani men thereafter came in their numbers, started shooting sporadically and, as well, burnt some houses in the area, making the residents to scamper for safety.
He said when the assailants came to Angwan Hausawa Sangaya, he went to alert the police, adding that before the reinforcement of the police could arrive, several people had been killed with many injured.
But, the administrator of the council, Salisu Ogah, said the incident started on Saturday when Eggon man killed a Fulani herdsman, adding that the herdsmen had promised a reprisal.
Meanwhile, one Joseph Sule was arrested with a live ammunition by the Commander of 81 Battalion, Keffi, Lieutenant-Colonel M. T. Usman, when some of his men were going round to acertain the level of damage done to the community.
Pope prays for peace in Nigeria As the nation witnessed yet another terror attacks on Easter day, Pope Benedict XVI has prayed for peace and respect of religious freedom in the country.
The Pontiff described the incidences of violence against churches in the country as savage terrorist attacks.
The prayer by the pope was contained in his traditional Easter "Urbi et Orbi" message on Sunday.
"To Nigeria, which in recent times has experienced savage terrorist attacks, may the joy of Easter grant the strength needed to take up anew the building of a society, which is peaceful and respectful of the religious freedom of its citizens," he said.
I consider myself pretty well-read on National events and world history, B_U_T, in the sentence above I don't have a clue about what and where those (4) places / events / people are:
1.... Boko Haram
2.... Kaduna
3.... Maiduguri
4....Nasarawa.
I obviously need to go back to school !!!!
The Country is Nigeria, in the African continent.
Procol Harum? I thought these guys broke up decades ago.
roasted?...not well written... but the message is clear...folks still hate Jesus Christ the only Son of God...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.