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Kaduna church hit in Nigeria suicide bomb attack | Kaduna church hit in Nigeria suicide bomb attack |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least seven people have been killed and dozens injured in a suicide bombing during Mass at a Catholic church in northern Nigeria, officials say. | At least seven people have been killed and dozens injured in a suicide bombing during Mass at a Catholic church in northern Nigeria, officials say. |
An explosive-laden vehicle drove into the church and detonated its load, ripping a hole in the wall and roof. | |
The attack happened in Kaduna, which has been targeted by Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the recent past. | |
A spokesman for the local governor has called for calm, pleading with people on local radio not to retaliate. | A spokesman for the local governor has called for calm, pleading with people on local radio not to retaliate. |
The Nigerian Emergency Management Agency told the BBC that Christian youths attacked a vehicle that had come to rescue survivors after the attack, smashing one of the windows. | The Nigerian Emergency Management Agency told the BBC that Christian youths attacked a vehicle that had come to rescue survivors after the attack, smashing one of the windows. |
It's a terrible scene, a whole corner of the church has been blown open, the roof is also blown off and there are sheets of corrugated iron flapping in the wind. | It's a terrible scene, a whole corner of the church has been blown open, the roof is also blown off and there are sheets of corrugated iron flapping in the wind. |
Just in front of the church itself is the blackened, charred remains of the car. What we understand happened is it went up to the gate outside the church, it was refused entry, it then went into reverse and charged through a breezeblock wall which was completely destroyed, and then the bomb detonated just outside the church. | Just in front of the church itself is the blackened, charred remains of the car. What we understand happened is it went up to the gate outside the church, it was refused entry, it then went into reverse and charged through a breezeblock wall which was completely destroyed, and then the bomb detonated just outside the church. |
We understand it was quite near where the choir and altar were. There are quite a lot of people milling around in shock. | We understand it was quite near where the choir and altar were. There are quite a lot of people milling around in shock. |
Unconfirmed reports said at least two people were killed in reprisal attacks by Christians after the bombing. | |
No group has said it carried out the bombing. | |
Looking for sanctuary | Looking for sanctuary |
The attack happened at St Rita's church in the Malali neighbourhood of the city. | The attack happened at St Rita's church in the Malali neighbourhood of the city. |
The vehicle had been stopped at the security gate outside the church. | |
The driver initially reversed, but then careered straight through the church wall and detonated the bomb. | |
Members of the choir are thought to be among the dead and injured. | |
The church was surrounded by soldiers and police after the blast, and ambulances were taking the injured to hospital. | The church was surrounded by soldiers and police after the blast, and ambulances were taking the injured to hospital. |
Nigeria's north has a large Muslim majority whereas the south is most populated by Christians and those who follow traditional religions. | |
Kaduna is on the dividing line between the two areas. | |
The BBC's Will Ross in Kaduna says many people have come to the city in recent months in search of sanctuary from violence in other parts of northern Nigeria. | |
Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government and impose an extreme form of Islamic law. | |
The group has said it carried out previous attacks on churches in Kaduna state in June. | |
At least 50 people were killed in the bombings and the reprisals that followed. | At least 50 people were killed in the bombings and the reprisals that followed. |
Are you in the area? You can get in touch using the form below | Are you in the area? You can get in touch using the form below |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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