Uneasy calm in Kaduna after suicide bomb attack

The tales of the victims of the blast are cheerless.

One day after the tragic terror attack on a Catholic Church in Kaduna, the city managed to remain peaceful while victims of the blast begin to wake to adversities of their injuries.

As observed by PREMIUM TIMES, areas such as Malali, Unguwa Yero, Badarawa Kwaru in the capital city stayed peaceful after security agents botched a reprisal attempt by Christian youth the previous day.

On Sunday, St. Rita’s Catholic Church situated at Unguwa Yero, Badarawa Kwaru area of Kaduna, was attacked by a suicide bomber killing eight worshipers and causing severe injuries to many.

Similar attacks in June – a coordinated bomb attacks on three churches in Zaria and Kaduna killed at least 25 worshippers sparking deadly reprisal and counter reprisal attacks in the capital city, Kaduna.

Up to 11 Muslims were killed in the reprisal attacks. The state governor subsequently imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state now divided along religious lines.

But the police in the state has managed to maintain peace in the state after the recent attack.

Traumatized victims

At the Barau Dikko hospital, many victims of the attack are agonized, bitter and traumatised but responding to treatment.

One of the senior members of the church, Albert James, who was not hurt, but visibly shaken by the attack he told PREMIUM TIMES the attack caused damages that cannot be quantified.

“It is a tragedy that can never be measured,” he said. “Although the blast did not torch the church building, the magnitude of the blast caused all these damages,” he said referring to the victims anguish.

He said that at the time of incident, security agents were nowhere near the scene to help salvage the situation.

Mr. James said some of the victims with minor wounds were discharged on Monday morning, adding that the other victims are responding well to treatment.

Sources also informed PREMIUM TIMES that the Kaduna state government is settling the hospital bills.

On Sunday, the government asked residents of the state to remain calm, saying the government is in control of the situation. Both government and religious leaders have sued for peace.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the attack bears the marks of the Islamic terror group, Boko Haram, that has claimed similar attacks in the past.