Explosives Found In Jos Church

Two Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) were yesterday discovered at a branch of ECWA Church in Tudunwa, Angwan Yashi, near the Federal Secretariat in Jos, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“They were removed and detonated,” spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Ezekiel Manzo said.

According to Manzo, who spoke on the telephone from Abuja, one of the bombs was found in the church’s toilet

The Nation report continues:

The controlled-detonation took place within the church premises, the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) said in a post on its Twitter account.

A witness near the church said the noise from the “massive” explosion was very loud and that the casualty might be high as worshippers were at the church for the Sunday service.

The IEDs were found one week after a similar explosion at a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Yobe State, claiming many lives.

Their discoveries also came barely a week after two blasts, believed to have been masterminded by the deadly Boko Haram insurgent, rocked the Tin City, killing scores and leaving several others injured.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Plateau State Command, Emmanuel Abuh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said: “Yes there was a blast at an ECWA Church at Tudun Wada area in Jos North LGA, but it is not as bad as that of last week. So details will come”.

On Saturday, suspected Boko Haram militants launched an attack on a prison in the southern Nigerien town of Diffa military sources said.

The attack was in an apparent bid to free fellow members of the sect being held in the Nigerian neighbouring country.

Three of the assailants and a soldier were killed before the attack was repelled, the sources said.

“When the attack was repelled, the assailants fled, probably back into the town,” one military source said. “We are searching for them,” the source added.

Another military source said the attackers may have been residents of Diffa, as no one had seen them enter the town.

Also yesterday, the Chadian government warned it will clamp down full-face veil wearing Muslims.

Chadian police said that anyone found wearing the full-face veil would be arrested.

The warning came after a Boko Haram suicide bombing left 15 dead in Ndjamena.

Saturday’s attack in a bustling N’Djamena market by a man disguised as a woman in a full-face veil also injured 80 and spread panic across the city.

“This attack just confirms that a ban” on the full-face veil was justified, national police spokesman Paul Manga said, adding that “it now must be respected more than ever by the entire population.

“Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice,” he warned.

The bomber detonated his explosives belt when he was stopped for security checks at the entrance to the city’s main market.

Muslim-majority Chad banned the full-face veil, ramped up security measures and bombed militant positions in Nigeria last month after the first-ever Boko Haram attack in its capital.

Security was tightened across the dry and dusty capital on yesterday with police and soldiers deployed in all areas, including intersections, markets and mosques.

Nine of the dead were women traders, and fear still permeated the market on yesterday.

“What was happening elsewhere and what we heard about from media reports is now happening here,” said Zenaba, a woman trader in her forties.

“I’m really scared for me and my children,” she said.