There are conflicting reports about the number of casualties from the suicide bomb attack on worshipers at St. Rita's Catholic Church
in Ungwan Yero, Kaduna, capital of Kaduna State.
An official of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA)
confirmed that at least 8 people were dead. NEMA's figure contradicted
initial claims by the Kaduna State Police that only the suicide bomber
died in the suicide bomb attack.
They also some
furious worshipers pursued and killed a few bystanders following the
suicide bombing attack.
A security source in Kaduna confirmed that some other people were
attacked and killed immediately after the terror attack.
Reverend Father Anthony Zaka, the deputy
communications director of the media center at the Catholic Archdiocese
of Kaduna said the bomber
must have done enough checks at the church to determine how to
cause maximum carnage. He disclosed that the attacker rammed his car
through the wall and inside the church before the explosion. He stated
that five worshipers died on the spot and that four of the seriously
wounded parishioners died at the hospital within the last one hour. He
expressed fear that the casualty figures would rise in the coming hours
and days.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condemned Sunday's suicide bomb attack on a Catholic Church in Kaduna.
The President, who was extremely saddened by the explosion, described it as "barbaric, cruel and uncalled for."
A statement by special adviser to the President (media and publicity), Reuben Abati noted that the apparent objective of the criminal
and unpatriotic elements and forces behind the attack is to set back the
progress the Administration has made in the fight against terrorism in
the country.
The President however, expressed confidence that the war against
terrorism would become more unrelenting as the nation would never give
in to the forces of terror and retardation. He added that the
persistence of messengers of evil will not prevail over the will of the
government and the people to secure peace and safety.
The President commiserated with the Catholic Church, family and
friends of the victims of the bombing, assuring them that government’s
resolve to deal with the threat of terrorism remains strong.
