12 Killed, 60 Injured In Attacks On Churches In Biu, Jos…As Boko Haram Claims Responsibility

No fewer than 12 persons died and over 60 others injured in the multiple attacks on churches in Biu, Borno state and Jos, Plateau state today.This is even as spokesman for the militant Boko Haram sect, Abu Quaga has confirmed that the sect carried out the twin attacks in Jos, and Biu, adding that the attacks were in furtherance of its goal.

In Biu,gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect stormed a local church, identified as Ekklizivar Yan’uwa A Nigeria (EYN) and opened gun fire on worshippers killing at least two of them and injuring over 20 others.

Residents of the community said two vehicles parked within the church premises were set ablaze by the gunmen. Survivors of the attack who sustained serious gunshot wounds were said to have been taken to the Federal Medical Centre,Gombe while those with minor injuries are being treated at Biu General Hospital.

In the Jos attack, 10 people were reported killed and over 50 others wounded in the bomb attack on Christ Chosen Church along Rukuba Road in Jos.Three of the dead including the suicide bomber were killed in the blast while seven others mainly
okada riders were killed in reprisal attack along the Rukuba road by angry youths.Worshippers whose number exceeds 50 were also said to have sustained injuries when the church ceiling and building caved in as a result of the effect of the blast .

The Special Task Force on Jos crisis (STF), in a statement said the suicide bomber had arrived the church premises in a saloon car with registration number (Plateau) BSA 36 AA at about 11.05am local time, with the improvised Explosive Device killing the suicide bomber and damaging four vehicles while about 28 worshippers were wounded.

The statement which was signed by the media / Information officer,Captain Mdahyelya Markus said that the wounded persons have been evacuated to different hospitals within the metropolis. It however stated that only four cyclists were killed and their motor cycles burnt in the reprisal attack.

The Director of Nursing Services at the Bingham Hospital where the injured were rushed to for treatment, Mrs. Maria Goni confirmed that 51 persons were wounded including two critical cases which had been referred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).