Suicide bomber kills five worshippers at Nigeria church

KANO: A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a church in the restive northeastern Nigerian city of Potiskum, killing five worshippers, a police officer and witness said.

The bomber entered the uncompleted Redeemed Christian Church of God yesterday morning in the Jigawa area on the outskirts of the city in Yobe state and detonated his explosives, killing the worshippers.

“Four worshippers died instantly, while the fifth victim died shortly after she was taken to hospital,” a police officer involved in the evacuation said.

“The victims included a woman and her two children, the pastor and another worshipper.”

Witness Garba Manu said the bomber arrived at the church on a motorised rickshaw disguised as a worshipper and detonated his explosives as soon as he entered the church.

“I saw when the bomber alighting from a motorised rickshaw and entered the church, and as soon as he entered a loud explosion ripped through the church,” he said.

“I saw him walk into the church and he didn’t raise any suspicion. Five worshippers, including three females and two males, were in the church when the bomber entered and they were all killed,” he added.

“The dismembered body of the bomber was also recovered,” said Manu, who lives in the area.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Potiskum, the commercial capital of Yobe state, has been hit repeatedly by Boko Haram militants in their six-year insurgency. — AFP