Suicide bombers hit three churches – two in Zaria and one in Kaduna metropolis – during the “Fathers Day” services.
No fewer than 16 people were killed and over 50 others injured.
Kaduna youths staged a protest against insecurity in the North’s political capital.
Governor Patrick Yakowa imposed a 24-hour curfew.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who got the information on the suicide attacks while attending a church service at the Presidential Villa, said he was “saddened”.
The explosions occurred at ECWA Church, Wusasa and the Christ the King Catholic (CKC) Church on Yoruba Road, Sabon-Gari, Zaria.
The explosion in Kaduna took place near the Shallom Church of God in the Trikania neighbourhood.
An eyewitness at the CKC Church, Malam Bala Mati, said the suspected suicide bombers rammed into the church premises in a “Golf IV’’ car, defying orders by security officials at the gate to stop for a check.
He said he counted about 13 bodies after the explosion.
At Wusasa, another eyewitness, Mr Johnson Maki, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bombers came in a Honda Accord (2008 model), hitting the security posts and knocking down a part of the church building.
Mr Lawal Umar, the Divisional Secretary of the Red Cross in Zaria, said no fewer than 30 persons were injured in the attack.
He said nine injured persons were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, Wusasa. Nine others were ferried to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika, Zaria.
Alhaji Umar Ibrahim-Rabagaddama, the Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Zaria Local Government Council, told NAN that one person died in the Wusasa explosion; 45 were inured.
The police confirmed 16 dead in the attacks. Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar deployed riot policemen to the nooks and cranny of Kaduna State. The team is led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sulaiman Fakai.
A statement by police spokesman Frank Mba said, the first incident took place at about 8:35am at ECWA Church, Wusasa, Zaria; the second incident at about 8:45am at Christ the King Catholic Church, Sabo-Gari, Zaria and the third incident occurred at Shalom Church, Kakuri, Kaduna at about 9:30am.
“A total of 16 persons have so far been confirmed dead as a result of the explosions within the three churches. A breakdown of this figure shows that nine persons, including the suspected suicide bomber died at Christ the King Catholic Church; three persons at ECWA Church; and four persons at Shalom Church.
“Some parts of the state recorded a momentary breakdown of law and order as angry youths took to the streets to protest the unfortunate attacks on the churches. The Police and other security agencies have however restored normalcy in the affected areas,” the statement added.
A Nigerian Red Cross official said about 12 people were killed and 80 wounded.
Andronicus Adeyemo said 10 people were killed and no fewer than 29 wounded in the Zaria attack.
He said two people died and 51 were wounded in Kaduna. He said the Zaria attacks occurred about 10 minutes apart in various parts of the city.
At the second ECWA Church in Wusasa, the Minister in charge, Rev. Nathan Waziri, said the church lost three members to the explosion which was said to have been carried out by a man who allegedly dressed like a woman and driving a Honda Accord car.
Rev. Waziri recalled that the service was on when they heard the commotion outside. He said by the time they came out to see what was happening, the explosion had occurred.
Some members of the church questioned why a military check point before the church was dismantled on Saturday.
Sources in Zaria told our reporters that about 45 people were admitted in the hospital from the explosion in Wusasa. Of the lot, 25 had been treated and discharged. Those with severe injuries were taken to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.
At the CKC Church in Sabon Gari, the source said about 12 people were reported dead in the explosion; many others were injured.
An eye witness, who pleaded not tobe named, said “At about 8.45am when the preaching was about to start, we heard an explosion which shattered the glasses in the church, injuring many people, including myself.
“When we heard the explosion, I rushed outside to find out what was happening because my brother was outside. I asked what was going on and was told that four men drove a red Toyota car to the church and tried to force their way into the premises, but they told tham that cars were not allowed to pack inside the premises.
“The driver of the car was arguing with them and before they knew what is happening, they saw smoke coming out of the engine of the car and before they could run, the car exploded and affected so many people.
“Four people died on the spot and two people among the security men were injured. One person was caught inside the church during the commotion trying to steal church money while another one was seen hiding behind the church and when he was interrogated, he could not defend himself and members of the church said they had never seen that face before in the church.”
At the Shalom Assembly in Kaduna, the casualty figure could not be immediately ascertained, but the Public Relations Officer of St. Gerard Catholic Hospital where most of the victims were rushed to was quoted as saying that seven burnt bodies were brought to the hospital. Over 40 others were injured.
A Daily Independent photographer, Nathaniel Jibrin, was said to have been attacked by irate youths while on his way to the scene of the explosion at Shalom Assembly. He is at the Intensive Unit of the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital.
A source at the Sharon Assembly said: “The bomber, who was stopped at the security check point at the church, pretended to be reversing the car and suddenly engaged the gear and accelerated, running into the check point, exploding in the process and killing a soldier who was part of the security.”
The sources said 13 injured people were taken to St Gerald Catholic Hospital for treatment, but another source said over 40 injured were taken for treatment at the hospital.
Hospital spokesman Sunday Ali said about 11 bodies have been deposited at the hospital.
His words: “From what we have here, 11 bodies had been deposited. We are presently treating 50 people with various kinds of injuries. And more are being brought in. I don’t know if the dead or wounded are from the bombed church or from reprisal attacks. Our work here is to treat them. I will not be surprised if more victims are brought in later. Please call me back after an hour.”
Lucy Bello, a member of the EWCA Goodnews Wusasa Zaria Church, said the explosion occurred at about 9 a.m., as she was walking into the building. A suicide bomber drove at high speed through a barricade at the church, she said.
Ms Bello, who had bruises from the blast, said she saw people on the ground; some dead and others seriously wounded.
Within minutes, another explosion occurred at the CKC Catholic Church in Zaria, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
And an hour and a half later, the Shalom Church in Kaduna, about an hour away, was bombed, agency officials said.
Christian youths in Zaria and Kaduna reacted violently, burning tyres and blocking roads.
The protesting youths said: “Enough is enough of the bombing of our churches. We will no longer tolerate these murderers. We have been pushed to the wall and we have no choice than to defend ourselves and our faith.
“Every Friday, they go to their mosques and even block roads to pray without any one attacking them. The Federal Government and the security agencies have failed us. No responsible government will tolerate this rubbish.
“Please go and write in your newspaper and tell the government and those who take delight in attacking us in our churches that we are equal to the task. What is going on is pure madness and we must stop it.
“From now on, we will no longer tolerate the bombing of our churches and the killing of Christians. If those who are in authority want this country to remain one, they must stand up against these attacks. We are tired of cheap talks without action. From now on, we are ready for them.
“We are ready for them. We know that they will bring security men out. But the question is, where were these security men when they attacked our churches and killed our people? “
The bombings are the latest in a string of violence directed at churches. A week ago, a car bomb killed five people during services at a church in Jos.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Reuben Buhari, said the blasts in Zaria and Kaduna as “unfortunate” and urged residents to remain indoors to allow security agents carry out their assignment.
The statement reads: “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, condemns in its entirety the unfortunate bombing of three churches in Wusasa in Zaria Local Government, Sabon Gari Local Government and Trikania, Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State.
“His Excellency, while regretting the unfortunate incident conveys his deepest condolences and sympathy to all those affected in the bombings. In view of the incidents and the need to have complete normalcy and to forestall further break down of law and order, the state government has imposed a 24 hours curfew in the whole state.
“The curfew hours start with immediate effect until further notice. Government regrets the inconveniences this drastic measure will cause to all and sundry. But the state government considers this to be necessary in order to avert further loss of lives and property in the state again. The State Government has directed the security agencies to enforce compliance.”
In a broadcast, the governor said: “We woke up this morning to the unfortunate blast in Zaria and Kaduna. As a result, 24 hours curfew has been imposed on the whole state. Keeping indoors allows the security agents to perform their duties effectively to fish out these criminals.
“ I want to assure you that Government would not tolerate the breakdown of law and order and disregard for the sanctity of human lives. Everything is being done to bring the situation to a stop by denying those bent on causing anarchy in the state the opportunity to celebrate their objectives.
“Government regrets this decisive decision, but it has been done in the interest of the state in order to avoid the loss of lives and property in the state again. There is no doubt it is going to cause some hardship but government has the responsibilities to ensure the safety of lives and property. Violence has never solved any problem. So, we should embrace dialogue and remain peaceful.”
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