Islamic militant group Boko Haram has recently set off two explosions in the city of Jos in central Nigeria and one at a checkpoint in the town of Maiduguri in the north-east.
Breaking News:
Boko Haram militants have bombed a checkpoint in Maidguri, north-east Nigeria. The 7am blast, which left no casualties, came as the federal government announced its commitment to tackle ongoing extremist violence in this region.
Muslim disappearance sparks violence
In recent months, Jos, the capital of Plateau State, has known an interval of relative peace. However, for several weeks prior to the bombings there were rumours that a cell of, Boko Haram was active in the area, and intent on targeting Jos.
On 19 July, a Muslim man disappeared, after having ignored repeated warnings not to venture into the Christian enclave in the tense Angwan Rukuba area of Jos. Angry Muslim youths in the area armed themselves and attacked the Christian area in retaliation, and by the time the Special Task Force (STF) intervened and prevented a full scale outbreak of violence, five people had died and twelve were seriously injured.
Two explosions rock Jos
Jos was rocked by the explosion of two bombs during the last weekend of July. The first explosion, which occurred on Saturday 30 July in the Angwar Rimi area at around 9.30pm, shattered the windscreen of a nearby taxi and caused damage to nearby buildings. The second occurred on Sunday 31 July at 6.30am in Sariki Mangu Street, Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) close to the home of Saidu Hassan Jingri, Deputy National Chairman of the ultra-orthodox Izala sect and a prominent Islamic scholar. The area is overwhelmingly inhabited by Hausa-Fulani Muslims. Neither explosion resulted in fatalities.
Bomb scares were also reported at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Bukuru, Jos South LGA, and at the administrative block of the University of Jos.
The bombings came a few days after the STF had tried to allay fears that Boko Haram had infiltrated Jos. The STF is now reported to have intensified its stop-and-search patrolling.
I want to...
Pray
CSW is calling the worldwide Church to pray for peace to reign in Nigeria and for an end to the violence. Please pray:
- For an end to the violence and for God's peace to reign over the entire nation.
- That the rioters would have a change of heart and abandon the fighting.
- That any who are responsible for bomb attacks would be apprehended
- For leaders of the opposition party to make a clear call for an end to the violence.
- For protection for vulnerable Christian communities in Shari'a states in northern Nigeria.
- For comfort and strength for all those who have lost loved ones in the violence, particularly the families of murdered Youth Corps members.
- For those who incited and perpetrated violence to be brought to justice.
- For all victims to receive compensation.
- For free and peaceful gubernatorial elections in Bauchi and Kaduna, delayed until 28 April.
- For reconciliation and healing for the nation as a whole
Protest
Download CSW's lobbying guide.
Provide
Make a donation to support CSW's work in Nigeria and around the world.