Military authorities have confirmed that two suicide bombs hit a church inside a military barracks of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, in Jaji, Kaduna state, killing 11 people and injuring 30 others.
The Military Directory of Information, AFCSC, Jaji, Lt-Col. Muhammed Dole confirmed that the bombings occurred around 12 noon Sunday at St Andrew Military Protestant Church.
Dole said that the bombers struck after church services with the first car exploding inside the church premises, while the second bomb-laden car exploded outside with a lot of casualties.
He said: “There were twin suicide bombings today (Sunday) at the St. Andrew Military Protestant Church, Jaji Military Cantonment at 1205hrs and 1215hrs. A bus first ran into the church and exploded about five minutes after services while a Toyota Camry parked outside the church detonated 10 minutes later”.
“Casualty figures I can confirm are 11 dead and about 30 injured. The injured are receiving treatment at military hospitals both in Jaji and Kaduna. Investigation into the bombings has commenced.”
The area has since been cordoned off.
Northern state Governors
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has commiserated with the Nigerian military over Sunday’s bomb blast which killed some worshippers at the Saint Andrews Protestant Church, describing the attack as “cruel and wicked.”
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, in a statement stated that “the deceased were heroes who died in the course of service to our father land, and prayed that God will grant repose to their souls and give their families and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.”
On behalf of other governors, the statement reiterated its commitment to “continue to work closely with the federal government in finding a lasting solution to the security challenges confronting some parts of the north.”
This is the second bombing this year, targeted at military barracks of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna state with the explosions at the 1st Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna in February.
Where are we going to hide in this country. The military barracks are being attacked. May God help us out.