Monday, April 09, 2012

Nigeria News Update: Explosions Take Place in Jos, Kaduna

Explosion near Plateau Governors’ Lodge

By Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos
Nigerian Nation

A bomb exploded in Tundun Wada area of Jos, the Plateau State capital, last night.

The sound of the explosion at about 8pm was heard from far and near as it sent fear into the people.

The explosion took place at a beer parlour near the Tundun Wada motor park. The casualty figure could not be ascertained as at press time. The scene of the explosion is about 300 metres from the headquarters of the Special Task Force (STF), the military team in charge of security in the city, and barely 200 metres from Governor Jonah Jang’s Lodge in Jishe.

Security men immediately cordoned off the area after the blast

Spokesman of the STF, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, who confirmed the explosion, however said no one was either injured or dead in the blast. Eyewitnesses however said about four people were injured and taken to Jenvak Hospital .

When our correspondent visited the hospital, only one of the injured was admitted due to trauma while the others had been treated and discharged.

The blast – believed to be from an improvised explosive - forced people to return home early, cutting short their Easter celebration.


SSS repels attack on training school in Bauchi

By Abiodun Joseph, Maiduguri
Nigerian Nation

State Security Service (SSS) operatives in Bauchi yesterday repelled an attack by gunmen on their training school, killing two of the attackers.

In Maiduguri, three suspected Boko Haram members were gunned down by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Order.

Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Bauchi State Commissioner of Police Alhaji Mohammed Ladan, said that one of the attackers was apprehended.

“I am just coming from the scene. Two of the assailants were killed while one of them was arrested.

“The arrested person told us that they were four. It means that one of them has escaped.”

According to him, a rod and wire cutter, pair of pliers, ropes, spanner and cell phones were recovered at the scene.

He said besides the two people killed, no other lives were lost. He said no damage was done to any property at the Senior Staff Training School of the SSS.

An Assistant Director of the SSS, Mr Olu Justine, said they had an intelligence report on an impending attack on the school as a result of which operatives were placed on the alert.

Justine said five of the gunmen came for the operation at about 4 a.m. and that two of them entered the school through a water way.

“Our patrol team spotted them and opened fire, gunning down the two, while the remaining three retreated. One of the retreating assailants was, however, arrested by the vigilant neighbouring local community and handed over to us.”

In Maiduguri, the JTF killed three suspected members of Boko Haram after an attack on their hide out.

Two members were also arrested in the attack confirmed by Lt.-Col. Shamsu Musa, the spokesman of the JTF.

He said the raid at Bulabulin Ward yesterday morning also led to the recovery of one rifle, two locally made pistols and 185 rounds of assorted arms.

Also yesterday, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was destroyed by the JTF at about 3pm at Kwaner Yobe General.


Easter Sunday suicide bomb kills 40 in Kaduna

By Tony Akowe, Kaduna

The smouldering remains of the suicide bomber’s car...yesterday PHOTO:AFP
Kaduna, the North’s political heart, had a bloody Easter Sunday yesterday. No fewer than 40 people were killed in an explosion at the ever-busy Junction Road/Sardauna Crescent, near the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

There was a big explosion; then a fire and thick, black smoke. In minutes bodies lay on the scene and panicky residents rushed indoors.

The road was strewn with charred motorcycles and debris. The scene usually hosts many residents who gather to eat at informal restaurants and buy black market gasoline. Nearby hotels had their windows blown out by the force of the powerful explosion, which engulfed a group of okada commercial motorcycle operators.

At least, 38 people were killed in the blast, said Abubakar Zakari Adamu, a spokesman for the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Others suffered serious injuries and were receiving treatment at local hospitals, Adamu said.

The explosion badly damaged the nearby All Nations Christian Assembly Church where an Easter service was going on. The church was the possible target of the bomber. Witnesses said it appeared the explosive-laden car attempted to go into the compound of that church before it detonated.

“We were in the holy communion service and I was exhorting my people and all of a sudden, we heard a loud noise that shattered all our windows and doors, destroyed our fans and some of our equipment in the church,” Pastor Joshua Raji said.

Another witness, Augustine Vincent, said he was riding a motorcycle just behind the car when it exploded.

“God saw our heart and saved us,” he said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, though suspicion immediately fell on Boko Haram sect.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege” in Hausa, is waging an increasingly bloody fight with security agencies and the public. More than 380 people have been killed in violence blamed on the sect this year alone, according to an Associated Press (AP) count.

The sect, employing suicide bombers and assault-rifle shootouts, has attacked both Christians and Muslims as well as the United Nations’ headquarters in Nigeria.

The sect has rejected efforts to begin indirect peace talks with Nigeria’s government. Its demands include the introduction of strict Shariah law across the country, even in Christian areas, and the release of all imprisoned followers.

The blast also comes as Britain and the United States had warned its citizens that violence was likely over the Easter holiday in the North.

In his Easter speech at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI mentioned the ongoing violence in Nigeria. Catholic churches have been targeted in previous attacks.

“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.

The Nation gathered that the suicide bomber attempted to go into an area with about three or more churches located side by side, but was turned back by the security who mounted a road block at the junction. The blast also destroyed property worth millions of naira, with majority of those affected being commercial motorcyclists and black marketers of petrol.

SEMA boss Adamu said: “We took seven persons at Rakiya Memorial Hospital, out of whom five have died while the remaining two have been transferred to 44 Army Reference Hospital where about 20 others have been taken. At the St Gerald Hospital, out of the 10 people taken there, five have died while the remaining five are receiving treatment.

“At Barau Dikko Hospital, we have six bodies with six others injured; while about 20 people died on the spot. In all, we have about 36 bodies while 13 others are seriously injured.”

A Red Cross official who would not want his name in print, said the agency collect ed five bodies from the scene and are treating about 15 others for serious injuries, adding that there was the possibility of more casualty since the security agents and other emergency workers also evacuated bodies from the scene.

About 60 buildings, including Fina White House Hotel and Marhaba Hotel, residential houses alongside the All Nations Christian Assembly located along Gwari Road behind Marhaba Hotel were badly affected by the blast. Six vehicles, including a Honda CRV car, were affected.

The explosion, according to an eye witness account, occurred at about 9.45 am when the lone suicide bomber attempted to enter Gwari Road where the All Nations Christian Assembly and the ECWA Good News Church are located. He was stopped.

The eye witness said the suspected bomber was dressed in a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. He had a set of military uniform on the car’s back seat.

One of the survivors, who claimed to have witnessed the explosion, said: “We were three inside the car when suddenly I heard a loud explosion in front of me and suddenly, I saw billows of smoke and fire under my vehicle. I quickly opened my door and when I looked around I didn’t see my mechanic again. I am still shocked how I survived.”

Augustine Vincent and his cousin, Aaron Idiawaje, who are receiving treatment at the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, claimed that they were riding on a motorcycle directly behind the bomber when the explosion occurred. They attributed their “miraculous” escape to “the blood of Jesus”.

They said truly Jesus Christ resurrected and that was why they were saved. “We were on our way to Christ Embassy church by Station on Kachia Road and God saw our heart and saved us,” Idiawaje said.

A guest of one of the hotels affected by the explosion said when the blast occured, the window of the hotel fell on his head, but no guest was affected. The explosion destroyed the hotel’s windows and doors.

Another survivor said: “I was driving past the scene of the incident along with two other occupants when suddenly I heard a loud sound that almost blocked my ear. When I looked in front of my car, I saw smoke all over the place while fire was coming out from under my car.

“The man at the back seat of my car, who is my mechanic was nowhere to be found. Even when I called his mobile phone, it was switched off, and so my fear is that he might have died as a result of the explosion. I don’t know how to thank God for surviving this bomb blast,” he said.

One of the security men attached to ECWA Good News Church, Gwari Road where the suicide bomber was said to be heading, Francis Markus, said: “It was around 10 am when I saw a man trying to enter this street who said he wanted to pass through. I told him that he cannot because the church service was on going.

“We don’t normally allow people to pass through when service is going on because of security. I advised him to go through after the church service, but he insisted that he was going to his house. He pointed at a one storey building and I know many of the people living in the house.

“I did not recognise his face because I work here every Sunday. So, I stopped him from passing through the street. But he pointed at another house.

“He came through Arochukwu Road at about 9.45am. He drove in an Honda Academy ash-colour car. I told him that he cannot pass through here. He accused me of violating his right by not allowing him to go to his house.

“I asked him to wait till after church service before he could pass through, but he insisted. We dragged this for some minutes. He entered the car and drove towards me, yet I stood my ground and held the iron bar that we use to block the entrance. He hit the iron against me.

“At that stage, one of my church members came with his bike and intervened. We noticed that the man was carrying an Army uniform at the back seat of his car. An Army cap too was behind the screen.

“I asked him if he was an Army officer and behaving like this? I told him, a disgrace to the Army, he is misbehaving, instead of giving me a helping hand. I politely told him to move his vehicle and leave the place.

“As we were arguing, the policemen posted to the church saw what was happening between us. They came closer and assisted me to get him out of the place. But within three minutes after he left, we heard the explosion across the road, along Junction Road.”

Kaduna State Police Commissioner Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar said two vehicles were used for the operation. He said: “Situation report indicated that today (yesterday), 8th April, 2012 at about 8:45hours, intelligence report received said two suspected vehicles heading towards Kakuri / Sabon Tasha axis exploded while in 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 from the death of the suicide bomber and five persons, 16 injured victims were passers-by. 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.”

Senator Mohammed Saleh, representing Kaduna Central, who visited the scene of the explosion, described it as a national disaster. He said security agencies should go back and do a postmortem to find out why it happened and how to respond.

Senator Saleh said: “at a time like this, we have to re-assess our response to security situation as we go along. I am aware that before Easter, there was a massive security leakage because it was expected that something like this is likely to happen and certain measures were put in place, yet it happened.

“Left to me, this is a war situation and in a war situation, you use all the instruments of your power to fight it.”

The member representing Kaduna North in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Shehu Usman, blamed security agencies for the incessant explosions and called for the immediate disbandment of road blocks.

He said security agents should devise a way of checkmating suicide bombers and assured that the National Assembly will assist security agencies to restore the peace in the North and the country in general.

Usman also asked the Federal Government to go back to the negotiating table with the Boko Haram, with a view of finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in the country.

National Emergency Agency (MEMA), Director-General Mohammed Sani Sidi, who visited St. Gerard Catholic Hospital and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital, to see the victims, said the agency would foot their hospital bills.

There is usually a traffic jam on the Junction Road where the blast occurred.

A Consultant to Fina White House hotel, Juliusa Acholonu said: “This bomb blast is horrible.

“My happiness is that at the time it happened, there was only one guest in the rooms. You can see the room he was staying; it is only God that can bring somebody alive from that kind of ruin. It was a terrible ruin. In fact, God did it in a way that the guest came out unhurt. And he checked out immediately.

“In all our hotels, we have put a lot of security measures in place. We don’t allow you to park your car in front of our hotel, except you are our guest and as you are parking, our security men will be there to welcome you and check your car. And as you are entering into the room, we have a security man to check your bag, your body, everywhere, before you are allowed to enter the room.”


ACF condemns Kaduna blast

By Tony Akowe

Says few things are less pleasing to God when innocent people are killed in the name of God.

The northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned Easter Sunday explosion in Kaduna in which about 40 persons died with several others injured.

In a statement made available to The Nation in Kaduna and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, the ACF said those responsible for the explosion were determined to undermine peaceful co-existence in the country.

The state reads "the news of bomb explosions in Kaduna which claimed many lives and destroyed properties today suggest some people are determined to undermine the needed peaceful co-existence and national security.

"This is unconscionable and so condemnable. Few things are less pleasing to God when innocent people are killed in the name of God.

"Yes ACF asks Nigerians not to be discouraged by the spate of bomb explosions. Rather, they should regard the challenges by the insecurity as a collective responsibility by living up the collective challenges.

"ACF therefore condemns the bomb explosions and condoles with families of those who lost lives and properties, as well as pray for the repose of the souls of those who died. May He make it possible for replacements many folds".


Islam abhors violence, eminent Nigerians insist

Monday, 09 April 2012 00:00
By Bola Olajuwon News

FOR those who are linking the killings by Boko Haram to Islam, they have again been told that the violence has nothing to do with the religion, since it preaches and promotes peace.

The clarification came at the weekend from notable personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Senator Ganiyu Solomon and new National President of Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji S.A. Yusuf.

Others were a guest lecturer and foundation Head of Political Science and Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Abdulrahman Olalekan Olayiwola, and a Senior Lecturer at LASU, Dr. Isiaq Akintola.

While speaking at the 32nd Triennial National Conference of MAN, they said that violence in any form was against the teaching of Islam.

Therefore, they urged Muslim leaders and scholars to establish a centre for Islamic information dissemination to tackle cases of wrong perception of what Islam stands for and also train preachers on the true tenets of the religion.

Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Alhaja Folashade Serifat Jaji, said religion should continue to play the role of preaching morals, peaceful co-existence, brotherly love, tolerance, patience and endurance.

“Our religious leaders should continue to help us use the opportunities they have as respected opinion leaders and influential figures to make religion a vehicle to promote good behaviour, orderliness and also encourage our people to carry out their civic obligations and obey the laws of the land,” the deputy governor said.

Orelope-Adefulire, who commended the association for using the forum to expose Muslims to the sacred teachings of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and the tenets of Islam among others, also said she found the theme of the conference particularly apt, timely and very thought-provoking against the backdrop of recent happenings in the country.

“There is no better time to seek a permanent solution that is divinely-inspired, well-articulated and solution-driven than now. It is heartwarming and relieving therefore to know that Islam, as a religion of peace, can provide the solution we are looking for,” she said.

She assured that as the elected representatives, the state government would continue to serve, promote and protect the interest of the people.

Yusuf and Olayiwola, in their separate addresses, said that Islam and MAN condemned religious intolerance, insisting that the violence had nothing to do with the religion and that violence in any form was against the teaching of Islam.

The guest lecturer, who is also a British councillor, lawyer and solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, said Boko Haram militancy was one of the problems of violence, general insecurity and national disintegration, including cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, ethnic, political and social problems that Nigeria was going through.

He particularly counselled Muslim leaders to establish a centre for Islamic information dissemination to redress cases of wrong perception of what Islam stands for and also train preachers on the true tenets of the religion, adding that the Federal Ministry of Information should assist in funding the centre.

“Boko Haram is not fighting for Islam. God does not ask anybody to use force to preach in any religion, including Islam, Christianity and African traditional religion. Therefore, Boko Haram is not fighting for Islam.

“The Holy Qur’an Chapter 16 verse 125 says, ‘invite all in the way of the lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them ways that are best and most gracious….’ Violence in the name of religion is tantamount to violating their freedom of worship, freedom of association, freedom of belief and freedom of religion. It is wrong for anybody to claim he is fighting for a religion. God does not encourage people to fight for any religion. Therefore, Boko Haram is not fighting for Islam,” he said.

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