An unspecified number of worshippers were killed and some others injured when two suicide bombers drove vehicles packed with explosives into St. Monica’s Catholic church in Ungwan Yero near Malali in Kaduna on Sunday during the morning mass.
The blast occurred around 10.15a.m, leading to a stampede in the packed church.
Spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Yushau Shuaib, confirmed the blast in an SMS to PUNCH.
“After receiving reports from our call centre over ‘bomb explosion’ at a worship centre in Malali, Kaduna, NEMA mobilised rescuers and other response agencies to the scene.
“A number of casualties evacuated to hospitals. The incident was suspected to be triggered by a suicide bomber in a car which relevant security agencies may soon determined,” he said.
Witnesses also reported another blast in Sabo, another Kaduna suburb a few minutes later.
The Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Adenaike, confirmed the first blast to the News Agency of Nigeria, saying the casualties had not been determined.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, the attacks bear the hallmarks of the extremist Boko Haram sect.
The group has claimed deadly attacks on churches in the past, which claimed several lives and left many injured.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, had on Wednesday ordered tight security at worship centres throughout the Sallah holidays.
It is not known how the bombers were able to beat the security network to cause havoc on Sunday morning.
Kaduna was the scene of deadly blast some months ago, which claimed several lives and left many injured.
More details later.
– Punch