NIGERIA – Suicide bomber targets worshippers

At least 18 people are believed to have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on Christians in the northern Nigerian city of Bauchi on Sunday. More than 30 were wounded in the blast.

The extremist Islamist group Boko Haram is believed to have been behind the attack in which a bomber crashed his car into the gates of the Living Faith church in Yelwa Tudu as people were leaving an early-morning service. The force of the blast brought part of the church crashing down on those inside and demolished a wall of the adjacent Harvest Field Church.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide says that casualties were primarily from Harvest Field.  Twelve cars and a number of other buildings were reported to have been destroyed in the blast.

The bomber reportedly rammed a military checkpoint so security personnel guarding the churches were unable to stop him.

No group has yet taken responsibility for this attack but it has been widely compared with other attacks by Boko Haram, which has killed at least 530 people this year alone, according to Associated Press.

Meanwhile, in Plateau state, 15 Christian villages were reportedly attacked last month by suspected Muslim Fulani armed mostly with guns and machetes. Some sources allege that these groups are being armed by extremists.

The military says that 35 people died in attacks in the central Nigerian state in May; church leaders say the death toll is far higher. Many others were injured, some severely. More than 1,000 Christians are said to be displaced as a result of recent violence. Senior church leaders have again urged President Jonathan to do more to protect vulnerable communities.

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(Sources: Associated Press, Compass Direct, CSW)

• Ask God to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually all those affected by the bomb blast in Bauchi at the weekend – and by the attacks on Plateau villages last month.
• Pray for a swift end to the violence targeted against Nigeria’s Christians. Pray for wisdom for President Jonathan and all those in positions of authority and influence. Pray that they will unite and take firm action to end the bloodshed.