The latest bomb blast by yet to be known persons came about eight weeks after a similar incident claimed many lives on the premises of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, on the boundary between Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
At the time of filing this report on Sunday, nobody had claimed responsibility for the bomb blast, but operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), who moved to the scene were quoted as saying that an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted by unknown people inside a vehicle parked some few metres away from the front of the church.
The bomb blast was reported to have occurred at about 10.30 a.m near the church and a popular hotel on the busy street.
An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, confirmed the bomb explosion, claiming that no person was killed. He added that the damage from the bomb, which was planted amidst five cars, was minimal.
According to the source, among the injured persons, two were rushed to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital while three others received treatment at Suleja hospital and had been discharged.
Another witness said that some people who were close to the scene saw a parked car without a number plate. They became suspicious and started alerting people to stay away from the car, before the explosive went off.
He said, “the most fortunate thing was when the bomb exploded in the car, there was no fire from the vehicle, though other parked vehicles by the side were affected because of the impact of the explosive device.”
It was learnt that military personnel that were deployed in the Suleja Local Government Area after the declaration of the state of emergency early this year have taken over and cordoned off the area.
Reacting, the Director-General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mohammad Shaba, said he was mobilising his staff to the scene of the incident with a view to taking over the treatment of the injured persons and also to meet with those that lost their property.
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Maishanu, confirmed the incident, saying that one person was injured and two vehicles were affected in the blast.
He said, “one person was injured and two vehicles were affected and as I am talking with you, I am on my way to Suleja to further ascertain the situation.”
Meanwhile, four persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram were, on Sunday, arrested at St Theresa’s Catholic Church at High Level, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the four suspects had attempted to gain entry into the church at the commencement of the second mass around 10.00 a.m, when they were stopped by private security men.
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