AS death toll from Jaji blast increased to 15, reports had it that one of the suicide bombers in the Toyota Camry car was sighted praying inside the car before it finally exploded, killing worshippers.
This is just as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) took a swipe at the military, saying the attack was an intelligence failure.
Its national publicity secretary, Mr Anthony Sani, said the level of insurgency had heightened since the Federal Government took the decision of placing ransom on the leaders of Boko Haram.
A British Broadcasting Service (BBC) Hausa news report monitored in Kaduna, on Monday, reported an eyewitness, who craved anonymity, saying that minutes before the blast, he watched as the suicide bomber prayed inside the car.
Meanwhile, Governor Patrick Yakowa has said all medical bills of those affected would be settled by the state government.
While conducting the governor round the bombed church, the commandant, Air Vice Marshal A. I. Kure, described the incident as most unfortunate.
A senior military officer, Air Commodore Alechenu Ekagbo, was, on Monday, saidbe among the victims of the blast.
His residence was said to be about 15 metres away from the scene of the bomb blast and was said to be in critical condition at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
According to a relation, Ekagbo was at his quarters when the bomb exploded. He went into coma and was rushed to the hospital. We thought he was dead until we got the news this morning that he’s still alive but in critical condition. Anytime from now, he would be flown abroad by the military.”
But the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Bola Koleoso, denied the story in a text message to newsmen.
However, military authorities were yet to release an update on the number of causalities affected in the blast, as there were fears that the death toll had increased to more than 20, while many of the injured were still in critical conditions.
Meanwhile, Barely 24 hours after two suicide bombers struck at the Military Protestant Church of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, has directed the set up of a board of inquiry to unravel the cause of the bombing.
The army chief, who spoke in Asaba, at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff annual conference, vowed that in spite of the incessant attacks on the army, nothing would deter it from achieving its objectives, which was ridding the nation of terrorists and other elements bent on causing destabilising it.
He noted that the army would remain professional in the conduct of its operation and would keep strictly to the rules of service.
He stated that “despite the level of propaganda of the Boko Haram terrorists in the plot to discredit the army, we will not be deterred in our resolve to address the current internal security challenges in partnership with other security agencies.
Lieutenant General Ihejirika disclosed that in 2013, the focus of the army would be to ensure the mass production of locally manufactured armoured personnel carriers to meet operational requirements.
He added that “we equally hope to strengthen the capacity to the Nigerian Army engineers through acquisition of necessary equipment so that it can take up bigger challenges outside the Nigerian Army.”
“The outgoing year has indeed been both eventful and challenging for the Nigerian Army, especially in its fight against terrorism and other criminal activities in the country. This is in addition to maintaining significant presence in troubled spots in the Africa.
Meanwhile, Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said that the relentless bombings of worship places and other soft targets by mass murderers in the country must be halted decisively else it may produce consequences beyond the control of anyone.
Reacting to the weekend suicide bomb attacks on St. Andrews Protestant Church located within the Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Kaduna, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja, the former vice- president noted with sadness that mass murderers and their sponsors were posing a fatal threat to the unity of the country.
For this reason, he said national leaders must speak with one voice and common concern to defeat these mass murderers, which according to him, posed the greatest danger in the existence of Nigeria.
The Turaki Adamawa said persistent attacks on worshippers in a country with deep religious sensitivity were a matter of national urgency that demanded action.
He, particularly, advised members of the community to expose suspicious elements amongst them for the good of the society, warning that harbouring the mass murderers was an ill wind that blew nobody any good.
The former vice-president also called for improved rapport between security agents and members of the community, which he said, was necessary in exposing and defeating mass murderers and their agenda.
Tribune
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