For the second Sunday running, blood flowed again yesterday as 48 persons were killed in three separate coordinated bomb attacks on churches in Kaduna, Zaria and retaliatory attacks.
Meanwhile, a 24-hour curfew had been imposed in the state to prevent further attacks and retaliatory attacks. President Goodluck Jonathan in his response, expressed sadness over the attacks.
Senate President, David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, have condemned the attacks and called for calm.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said that only 16 persons were killed in the attacks. Vanguard gathered that the first attack was at a Children Sunday School at ECWA Church, Wusasa, Zaria, which left the sunday school teacher, and 10 children dead.
Four children playing outside the church were among the first victims of the blasts at the church.
A witness said that five men ran up to the church and hurled home-made bombs through its open door. They were allegedly chased down and reportedly beaten to death. Police could not confirm this.
At Christ the King Catholic Cathedral, Zaria, also attacked by a suicide bomber, 11 worshipers were killed, narrated a member of the church, who escaped through the window. Malachy Achu, a dentist, a member of the church, said those injured in the blast could not be less than 40.
In Kaduna, Shalom Church International, Trikania, Kaduna was hit by another suicide bomber, leaving about five worshippers dead and scores injured.
Among the dead at the church in Kaduna were three persons securing the Church’s gate, while two others were killed when the suicide bomber crashed his car through the gate of the church. A soldier was among the casualty.