•Bomber targeted 1,000 worshippers, says Yakowa
No fewer than 111 victims of Sunday’s suicide bomb attack in Kaduna have been treated and discharged from three of the hospitals to which they were admitted.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 146 victims were admitted at Barau Dikko, St. Gerard’s and 44 Military Hospital in Kaduna.
Only 35 of the injured victims were still receiving treatment at the three hospitals yesterday.
The figure was released during a visit to the hospitals by officials of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
According to the administrator of St Gerard’s Hospital, Sister Therasa Dung, 14 victims were brought to the hospital. Two have been discharged.
Four of the victims on admission at the hospital are children.
At the Barau Dikko Hospital, the CAN officials were told that of the 97 victims of the Sunday bomb blast, only 18 are left.
The team leader of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr Aly Ouattara, who was seen treating some of the patients, said that the hospital had discharged 79 patients who were in stable condition.
Officials at the Army Hospital confirmed that 30 patients had also been discharged. Five are still receiving treatment.
In CAN Chairman Rev. Samuel Kujiyat, said: “In this situation, we are also grateful to God because we cannot question Him for allowing the attack.”
“We are giving thanks because the attack was not more than this, and we pray for speedy recovery of the victims.”
Kujiyat dispelled the rumour on the death of the St. Rita’s Catholic Church priest, adding that “he is alive and stable at the Multiclinic Hospital in Kaduna “.
Troops were patrolling the streets yesterday.
Many residents remained indoors as soldiers mounted checkpoints and frisked motorists and passersby. Many businesses remained shut.
Residents said roadblocks were mounted around the scene of the blast and the two flashpoint districts of Goni-Gora and Tudun-Wada.
“There has been heavy military deployment since yesterday, following the attack. This morning, two armoured cars and more troops arrived in these areas,” said Emmanuel Mayaki, a resident of Goni-Gora.
Another resident, Hadila Johnson, spoke of an increased presence of soldiers and some checkpoints. He said the roads leading to the church were cordoned off by soldiers.
Military spokesman Colonel Sani Usman told AFP the heavy presence of troops was “to restore law and order”.
The attack on the church during the morning service left at least eight people dead, in addition to the bomber; 145 people were injured.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the church blast, the incident was similar to previous attacks blamed on extremist group Boko Haram.
Boko Haram’s insurgency is believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa said yesterday that the suicide bomb at St Rita’s Catholic Church in Ungwan Yero in Malali was intended to kill over 1000 worshipers.
The governor, who returned from vacation abroad on Sunday evening, visited the scene of the blast and the various hospitals where the victims are receiving treatment.
He noted that terrorism in the North is a great setback to the region, saying: “Let us all join hands in bringing an end to this act of terrorism. We must bring an end to the destruction of lives and property of innocent Nigerians. For me I feel so sad each time this thing happens and this is a very sad moment for me; but we thank God because it could have been wore.
“We must all join hands and ensure that we expose and flush out these evil people among us. All these challenges will not distract us from developing the state. Never in the history of the state have we faced these challenges, but we remain unshaken. We remain focused and determined to succeed in ensuring quality life for our people,” he said.
Yakowa said the government would assist owners of property near the church that were also affected by the explosion and foot the medical bills of the victims.
He said: “I have gone to the affected Church, and I have visited all the injured patients and I am deeply saddened by what happened, but I thank God, because it could have been worse.
“I met the priest who was officiating the Mass Service. His name is Rev. Fada Mike Bunni. He was able to tell me that the bomber was very determined to kill all the over 1000 worshippers in the church. And you could see how daring he was.
“He did not go through the gate. He drove straight against the fenced wall of the Church. The Priest said that if the fence of the church were not strong, he could have driven through the walls of the church and detonated the bomb there.
Kaduna House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr. Dogara Matto, said the House would pass under 24-hours any law that would improve peace and security.
