Five persons died yesterday in Kano when suspected insurgents hurled explosives from the window of a school at a church building as worshippers were leaving after a mass.
Eight others were injured in the attack on St. Charles Catholic Church on Zungeru Road in the ancient city.
The dead, according to sources, include Mr. Ugochukwu Okoli (32), his wife, father and his maid. They were said to have gone for the mass for thanksgikving and were leaving after the service when they were hit by the explosives.
Kano State Commissioner of Police Aderenle Shinaba, said the suspects had gone to a church on Zungeru Road, where they hid themselves at a primary school, close to the church and threw explosives at the unsuspecting worshippers. He said no fewer than five people died and eight were injured. Three suspects were arrested.
The police said in Abuja that five suspects were arrested in total.
An sms message from police spokesman Frank Mba said two of the suspects were arrested in connection with the failed attack on the Isyaku Rabiu Mosque. Three were held in connection with the attack at St. Charles Church.
The statement said: “All the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation at different police facilities in the state.
“The police have stepped up patrols and surveillance in the city and other major cities across the nation. Police operatives are carrying out overt and covert operations nationwide, while special teams are carrying out sweeping raids in suspected terrorist hideouts.
“Citizens are enjoined to remain vigilant and continue to support the security agencies during the operations.”
The Catholic Bishop of Kano, Bishop John Namanza, said the community protected itself beyond imagination.
Rev. Namanza described the attack as uncalled for, saying those who threw the bomb were unholy.
Although the Bishop praised the security operatives for their response, he lamented that it was belated despite the early information passed to them that the church was a target.
He called on security agents and the state government to strengthen security around the vicinity.
Also yesterday, suspected terrorists attempted a suicide attack at Kofar Nasarawa in Kano. A woman bomber tried to lure some security men, who were stationed by the North West gate with Sallah food but she blew up herself.
The bomber, who arrived at the scene under the newly built flyover at about 12:30 pm, reportedly made an attempt to deceive the security operatives that she brought sallah food for them, but the security men suspected foul play.
The security men, it was learnt, took to their heels when they noticed that the woman was advancing towards them. They threatened to gun her down.
However, luck ran out for the bomber, who secretly concealed the explosives under her hijab, when the bomb suddenly exploded and killed her.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the blast.
The religious body also expressed sadness at the “unfortunate” incident in Zaria, which led to the killing of some people, including the sons of a renowned Islamic scholar El-Zakzaky.
CAN said it was saddened by the implication of the incident as it is capable of throwing the community into more crises.
In a statement signed by CAN National President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the clergy urged the people to exercise restrain and live peacefully as the security is up the task of bringing perpetrators to book.
“CAN commiserates with Islamic scholar El-Zakzaky over the loss of his sons, appealing to him to take solace in God. CAN says the demise of the scholar’s sons is most unfortunate and regrettable, particularly at a time when the energy and wise counsel of all in the society is needed to tame insecurity.
“CAN appealed to Nigerians to live peacefully irrespective of religious, ethnic and political difference in the quest for new national re birth.
CAN reiterates its earlier call for Nigerians to give useful information to security agents as they try their best to tackle the insurgency.”
Pastor Oritsejafor described the blast as barbaric and inhuman. While commiserating with families of the deceased, he called on Nigerians to be security conscious.
Thirty people were killed in attacks at the weekend on communities in Hong local government area of Adamawa State.
Gunmen believed to be Boko Haram fighters attacked Zar Mubeng and Lubeng villages.
The village head of Zar community, Wing Commander, Dauda Daniel (rtd), is still missing in the aftermath of the attacks.
The attacks led to the death of nine people in Zar, the source said.
Some relatives of the community leader said he is yet to be found. There are concerns that he might have been abducted by the gunmen.
The worst-affected community is Mubeng where it was gathered that 20 people were killed.
The number of those killed in Lube could not be ascertained yet, said one of the villagers who fled the community as a result of the attacks.
The eye witness, who identified himself as Lazarus, said most of the people in his community scampered to safety before the rampaging gunmen got there.
The Adamawa State police could not speak on the development. Haa Micheal, the spokesman, has just been appointed.
Micheal said he is only privy to a rumoured attack in the Hong area but didn’t have details of the attack.
Last night, Garkida town in Gombi Local Government Area of the state was under attack by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members.
Sources speaking from the town on telephone said they heard heavy gunfire and cries of helpless residents.
They also noticed that many houses were on fire.
