Boko Haram Attacks: Worshipers desert churches in Jos

Christians, on Sunday, in Jos, Plateau State, stayed indoors as a result of the rumour that Boko Haram planned to attack some places of worship within the state capital.

This came as death toll in the explosion that rocked the town on Saturday rose to four.

An eyewitness, Alhaji Garba Ahmad, who said he lost his elder brother, Alhaji Bello Ahmad to the attack, told the Nigerian Tribune that the suicide bomber, at about 8.45 p.m on Saturday, was heading towards a television viewing centre in Angwan Rogo area of Jos North Local Government, with the intention of bombing soccer fans watching EUFA Champions League final match between Real Madrid and Aletico Madrid.


It was gathered that on entering the street leading to the viewing centre, the bomber was stopped by some youths keeping vigil to wade off any external intruders and was forced to turn back.

It was further gathered from the scene of the incident that the bomber turned and parked near a building close to the viewing centre, which the owner resisted vehemently. 


It was gathered that in frustration, the bomber packed the car, a Honda Odyssey, in front of a house.

“When we saw the car, unusually packed in front of our house, my brother challenged him. He told my brother that his car had a fault and wanted to repair it. My brother then asked him to take the car away.

“Sensing something unusual, I went inside and asked all the members of our family to leave the house. Just as my brother was persuading the man to leave the premises, he (the bomber) entered the car and immediately he started it, it exploded, killing my brother, his son and his friend,” he said.

An official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mohammed Suleiman, confirmed that the agency received a distress call at about 9.00 p.m on Saturday and immediately rushed to the scene to carry out search and rescue operation.

He said that three people died on the spot, while the body of the fourth person was discovered early Sunday morning.

The incident caused panic within Jos city, as most Christians stayed away from church to avoid being trapped.

Rumour was rife on Saturday evening that some places of worships would be attacked on Sunday, as some of the churches which conducted service hurriedly closed before 11.00 a.m.