Gunmen attacked a church in northern Nigeria during a midnight mass on Christmas Eve, killing six people including the pastor, before setting the building ablaze, residents and police said Tuesday.
"A group of gunmen came into the village at midnight and went straight to the church," said Usman Mansir, a resident of Peri village near Potiskum, the economic capital of Yobe state.
"They opened fire on them, killing the pastor and five worshippers. They then set fire to the church," he added, specifying that a branch of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) was targetted.
A senior police official in Yobe confirmed the details, but declined to be named.
Yobe police chief Sanusi Rufa’i said "this is a security issue" and refused to comment further.
Boko Haram Islamists have carried out several attacks in Yobe, which borders the state of Maiduguri, where the insurgent group is based.
The Islamists are blamed for killing hundreds of people in northern Nigeria since 2009. It was not clear who was behind the latest violence.
While Yobe’s population is overwhelmingly Muslim, the commercial hub of Potiskum has a significant Christian minority. Peri is just two kilometres outside the city. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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dez pple are very very confused wit dea religion.
ReplyDeleteMay their souls rest in peace. Our Lord is good, all the time. PH dude
ReplyDeleteDespite the so-called security beef up, they still went and assail a church; Nigerian government have to be serious on security challenges.
ReplyDeleteDespite the so-called security beef up, they still went and assail a church; Nigerian government have to be serious on security challenges.
ReplyDeleteAre we a failed state or not?
ReplyDeleteNigeria is not secured @ all bcos if she is so secured as the MR president said they had deplored millions of security officers outside during yuletide this on called-for criminality act would have been carried out successfully. Hmmmm MR PRESIDENT if you are not capable of this post why can't you resign honourably when you be appreciated.....
ReplyDeleteThe deed has been done the rest na story follow by grama as usual. It is only God that will quench the spirit of boko haram hovering in the Norther part of Nigeria and by the grace of God their generations will be wiped out of this earth in Jesus name amen.
ReplyDelete