Nigeria: churches targeted in Jos and Borno States

Christians in Nigeria are mobilising urgent prayer for the nation after two churches were targeted in separate attacks that occurred in Jos, Plateau State, and Biu, Borno State on Sunday 10 June.

The building of Christ Chosen Church, Rukuba Road, Jos collapsed after a saloon car loaded with explosives rammed into one of its walls during the Sunday worship service. The bomber reportedly disguised himself as a worshiper to evade local security. Once he gained entry to the area, he accelerated his vehicle into Christ Chosen Church. The pastor of the church, Monday Uzoka, was among an estimated 62 people who were critically injured. An estimated ten people are feared dead, though an official figure is yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, in Biu, four gunmen invaded a Church of Brethren in Nigeria Church (EYN, Ekkilisiyar yanuwa a Nigeria), shooting indiscriminately at church members and killing at least one person. Several others were injured. The gunmen fled soon afterwards and were not apprehended. Biu is one of the local government areas (LGA’s) in Borno State currently under a state of emergency.

Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSW Nigeria), said, “These attacks on Christians legitimately worshiping their God on Sundays have become a regular occurrence in northern Nigeria. CSW Nigeria urges the federal government to be more proactive in protecting the lives and properties of innocent Christians, especially since these attacks take a similar pattern each time, always occurring before 12 noon.” CSW Nigeria is in the process of mobilising a network of prayer for the nation.

Andrew Johnston, Advocacy Director at Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said, “We extend our condolences to the families bereaved in these horrific attacks. Armed attacks on churches in Northern Nigeria are occurring with alarming regularity, and the attack in Biu underlines the inefficacy of partial states of emergency in crisis prone areas. We urge the Nigerian government to institute comprehensive states of emergency in states known to be vulnerable to attack in order to restore a sense of security to local communities.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.