ICC Note:
As Christians exited St. John's Catholic Cathedral after mass a suicide bomber, suspected to be linked to the terrorist group Boko Haram, detonated a bomb killing himself and four others. According to various reports, up to 48 people could be injured and the death toll is likely to rise due to injuries some sustained. ICC is devastated to learn about yet another attack against Christians in Nigeria who have already suffered so much at the hands of the terrorist organization Boko Haram. Please remember these brothers and sisters in you prayers today.
9/24/2012 Nigeria (Christian Post) - In yet another bombing targeting Christians in Nigeria, four people and the suicide bomber were killed and more than 48 people were injured outside a Catholic church in the northern city of Bauchi on Sunday.
The suicide bomber, suspected to be a member of the Islamist terror outfit Boko Haram, launched the attack on St. John's Catholic Cathedral Church in the state capital of Bauchi during the first mass on Sunday, local media reported.
Nigeria's Thisday newspaper quoted a member of the church as saying that the bomber, who was driving an Opel Vectra car, detonated the bomb as the congregants were coming out after the church's first service.
The bomber made an attempt to enter into the church compound, but when church's security team stopped the vehicle outside the church, he detonated the bomb. "We had just come out from the church when we heard a loud sound followed by fire and smoke; we had to run for our dear lives," the member stated.
The National Emergency Management Agency said five people, including a woman and a child, were killed and 22 others were injured in the attack. However, some newspapers said at least 48 people, including two policemen, were wounded. The toll is expected to rise as several people received serious injuries.
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While no group had claimed responsibility at press time, the suicide bomber is suspected to be from Boko Haram, which has launched several attacks in Bauchi.
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Boko Haram gained technical sophistication and weaponry with help from groups like al-Shabaab in southern Somalia and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, analysts say. The terror group, which also targets police and Muslim civilians, has warned that all Christians living in the north should move to the south unless they want to be killed.
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Tags: Africa, Boko Haram, Islam, Nigeria
