Residents of Sapele, headquarters of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria have been living in fear since yesterday after two unidentified men riding in a car threw an explosive into the Islamic school in the town.
One of the bomb blast victims at the Central Hospital, Sapele, Delta State.
According to eyewitnesses, the two attackers who drove off immediately targeted the mosque beside the Islamic school.
One person was critically injured and was rushed to a nearby hospital while at least 20 other Moslem worshippers in the mosque sustained injuries.
P.M.NEWS gathered that the mosque and the school were badly damaged by the devastating explosion.
A council official who does not want his name mentioned confirmed the incident to our correspondent this morning, adding that it has heightened the tension in the town.
He also confirmed that two unidentified men who were riding in a car threw the explosion.
The injured persons were taken to Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara but were rejected on the fear that they could be Boko Haram members. But they were later admitted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State.
As at press time, about 12 noon today, soldiers had cordoned off the mosque and the Islamic school along Boyo Road, Sapele.
A cameraman with Independent Radio/Television, ITV Benin City, Joe Amina was brutally beaten by soldiers who prevented her from taking the photographs of the affected mosque after the soldiers had taken over the area.
Another source said most of the injured are Moslem children in the Islamic school. The source confirmed seeing eight of the children.
Nobody or group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. While some people said the attack might be to avenge the bombing of a church on Christmas Day at Madalla by Boko Haram sect members, others argued otherwise.
However, a similar explosion rocked the same mosque about a month ago.
Sources blamed last month’s bombing on an in-fighting between two feuding groups in the mosque.
According to sources, a group wanted their newly posted Chief Imam to preach in Arabic while the other group said to be liberal wanted the Imam to preach in English.
The second group said Sapele is not in the North and the worshippers understand English language.
Residents have been gripped with fear especially with the presence of soldiers at the scene of the explosion.
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Posted: at 28-12-2011 04:34 PM (13 years ago) | Addicted Hero
ugochuks at 28-12-2011 04:41 PM (13 years ago) (m)
civil and religious war on the making...it was GREEN and it turned YELLOW and ppl re waitin till its RED!!!!
I MISS U WHEN I KNOW U RE MISSIN ME
Posted: at 28-12-2011 04:41 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
lertipha at 28-12-2011 05:15 PM (13 years ago) (f)
I hope the story is confirmed..media ought to have broadcasted it by now,I see no reasons soildiers won't allow them cover it afterall,madalla was fully covered. So it might be a rumour..unless.....
Posted: at 28-12-2011 05:15 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
therealist at 28-12-2011 06:14 PM (13 years ago) (m)
this story is bound to be false , nametalk tell us ur source ...its just a mere fabricated story if u ask me, hw can soldiers beat a camera man who just want to cover a scene ? (2) why is the news not in any news media ?
Posted: at 28-12-2011 06:14 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie