June 2012 Kaduna church bombings
| June 2012 Kaduna church bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of Islamist insurgency in Nigeria | |
| Location | Kaduna, Wusasa and Sabon Gari, Nigeria |
| Date | 17 June 2012 |
| Target | Christian churches |
Attack type | Bombings, terrorism, mass murder |
| Weapons | Three bombs |
| Deaths | 12–19 |
Non-fatal injuries | 80 |
Suspected perpetrators | Boko Haram |
On 17 June 2012, three Christian churches in northern Nigeria were attacked by bomb explosions. At least 12 were killed and 80 were wounded.[1] On 24 June 2012, Reuters UK reported that 19 people were killed.[2]
Bombings
Two of the three blasts happened in the Wusasa and Sabon-Gari districts of Zaria. The third blast happened in Kaduna, the state capital of the Kaduna State. There have been unconfirmed reports of two more blasts in the southern area of Kaduna.
A 24-hour curfew has been imposed by Kaduna State authorities.[1]
Responsibility
The Kaduna State have stated that Boko Haram could possibly be responsible for the attacks. According to other sources, no one is yet certain about the source of the attack but many believe it to be Boko Haram.[3] This organisation has previously justified attacks on churches by saying they were retaliatory attacks for killings of Muslims in central Nigeria.[1]
Boko Haram states it wants Islamic sharia law in place across Nigeria and is trying to trigger clashes between Christians and Muslims.
References
- 1 2 3 BBC News Africa : "Nigeria: Dozens dead in church bombings and rioting" (17 June 2012) – (Retrieved : 29 June 2012)
- ↑ Reuters-UK : "Nigerian Christian worship subdued by church bombs", by Augustine Madu and Joe Brock (24 June 2012) – (Retrieved : 29 June 2012)
- ↑ All Africa : "Nigeria: Yobe Attacked As Death Toll in Kaduna Bombings Climbs to 74" [in] This Day (19 June 2012) – (Retrieved : 29 June 2012)