World

Gunmen Attack Worshippers During Nigerian Church Services, At Least 16 Killed

KANO, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen attacked church services on a university campus Sunday in northern Nigeria, using small explosives to draw out and gun down panicking worshippers in an assault that killed at least 16 people, officials said.

(Related: Obama Official: Religion ‘Not Driving Extreme Violence’ in Nigeria… a Day After Islamists Slaughter 40+ Christians)

The attackers targeted an old section of Bayero University’s campus where religious groups use a theater and other areas to hold worship services, Kano state police spokesman Ibrahim Idris said. The assault left many others seriously wounded, Idris said.

“By the time we responded, they entered (their) motorcycles and disappeared into the neighborhood,” the commissioner said.

After the attack, police and soldiers cordoned off the campus as gunfire echoed in the surrounding streets. Abubakar Jibril, a spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, said security forces refused to allow rescuers to enter the campus. Soldiers also turned away journalists from the university.

Andronicus Adeyemo, an official with the Nigerian Red Cross, said a canvas of local hospitals and morgues showed the attack killed at least 16 people. A number of people suffered injuries, though the aid agency did not immediately have an exact figure, Adeyemo said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility. However, Idris said the attackers used small explosives packed inside of aluminum soda cans for the assault, a method previously used by a radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram.

Boko Haram is waging a growing sectarian battle with Nigeria’s weak central government, using suicide car bombs and assault rifles in attacks across the country’s predominantly Muslim north and around its capital Abuja. Those killed have included Christians, Muslims and government officials. The sect has been blamed for killing more than 450 people this year alone, according to an Associated Press count.

Diplomats and military officials say Boko Haram has links with two other al-Qaida-aligned terrorist groups in Africa. Members of the sect also reportedly have been spotted in northern Mali which Tuareg rebels and hardline Islamists seized control of over the past month.

In January, a coordinated assault on government buildings and other sites in Kano by Boko Haram killed at least 185 people. In the time since, the sect has been blamed for attacking police stations and carrying out smaller assaults in the city.

On Thursday, the sect carried out a suicide car bombing at the Abuja offices of the influential newspaper ThisDay and a bombing at an office building it shared with other publications in the city of Kaduna. At least seven people were killed in those attacks. Late Thursday night, gunmen also bombed a building at the campus of Gombe State University, though authorities said no one was injured in the attack.

Boko Haram has rejected efforts to begin indirect peace talks with Nigeria’s government. Its demands include the introduction of strict Shariah law across the country, even in its Christian south, and the release of all imprisoned followers.

Churches also have been increasingly targeted by Boko Haram. A Christmas Day suicide bombing of a Catholic church in Madalla near Nigeria’s capital killed at least 44 people.

Comments (35)

  • Father_Goose
    Posted on April 30, 2012 at 7:15pm

    Why does the media keeping giving us a body count in Syria, where Muslims kill Muslims, but hardly ever mentions it when muslims kill Christians. So far in the last year there have been just over 9,000 muslims killed in Syria by fellow muslims and the world all upset. Yet in 2010, there were an estimated 105,000 Christians murdered, most by muslims and you never hear about that. Nine of the top ten countries where Christians suffer the greatest persecution are muslim nations. A real religion of love and tolerance.

    I hope we all feel safe with our growing muslim population – keep your guns handy.

    Report Post »  
  • CougarNick78
    Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:27pm

    Don’t mind Suzanne & Calm Voice of Reason, they‘re some of those who wouldn’t mind the actual X-ains to be gassed, shot, or massacred, as long as THEY are the last ones alive.

    Reap what you sew, you weaklings. And Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.

    Report Post » CougarNick78  
  • Oldphoto678
    Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:36am

    Lions, and Tiggers, and Bears. Oh my!

    What a bunch of ultramaroons!!!

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:53pm

    Suzanne..please give scriptual evidence of your reply to OHEVI……….

    Report Post »  
  • DIARIST
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:34pm

    Violent attacks on Christians, like today’s massacre in Nigeria, have increased more than tripled since 2003 in Muslim-majority countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. More at: http://christiandiarist.com/2012/04/29/latest-muslim-terror-attack-on-christians/

    Report Post »  
    • docgreen
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:41pm

      I’m only going to say this once. There is know peaceful loving muslim!.. People say it and when they get to a certain number of muslims they bring a Imam. After this the imam teaches the younger kids hate, Just like the Koran states! At a certain point the mosque becomes a terrorist haven! In Nigeria the Christians and others were awarded a separate state. With a peace treaty, when the muslims get enought people behind them they start by killing and murdering. Look at Sudan, Nigeria, India, all other muslim countries. Its called Ethnic F_cking Cleansing. This is what the Koran teaches, how come we never hear about it? Look at Israel, when you get to the Basics the pa thinks that all Israel is theirs, and that they need to take it from whomever has it. Look at Turkey! Same thing. Well, I would bet if you moved them out of their own land in Deerborn MI. that eventually they would make peace agreements until they had enough people to kill the Infidels!.. You can’t make peace with the Devil! Look at what mahammad did, he did the same thing. He would make peace agreements until he took ennough and raped enough children “Children Soldiers in Nigeria, Sudan,!” then when they have enough they kill the Christians and Jews and everyone else. Read they’re history! They hjave plans for all of this! Obama is going to destroy the US for a Global takeover as Islam as the religion!…. Thy’re the only ones beheading for conversion! Read what the Bible says about it!

      Report Post »  
    • imsteph
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:58pm

      and don’t forget northern(muslim) and southern(Christian) sudan….
      the north calling for war against the south…
      and the call for Christian churches to be destroyed in saudi arabia…
      and violence against Christians in eqypt….

      but don’t worry people-this isn’t a war against Christians…really.

      Report Post » imsteph  
  • Suzanne D
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:30pm

    You must not be a Christian then. Christians are commanded by God NOT to retaliate if we are persecuted for our faith.

    Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • CougarNick78
      Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:25pm

      Horsecrap, and you’re not a Christian, I imagine. The Bible is not a suicide pact. Point out where a Christian cannot defend themself from their enemy? You‘re the type of weakling who’d be playing a fife all the way to gas chambers.

      Report Post » CougarNick78  
  • Ohevi
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:39pm

    Blaze censors like crap! Man stop infringing on my constitutional rights glen, are you the dictator in chief now?!?

    Report Post »  
    • lbyrd26
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:03pm

      Lately all I have been hearing out of the liberals, is how we need to keep republicans from having guns, so the world can be safe for liberal home invaders, who have a gun, In light of that I’m wondering why those bible thumping, gun loving republicans are posing as radical islamists, in other countries, so they can kill other ignorant republicans, who believe in a God that doesn’t exist?

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:05pm

      Ron Paul guy ?

      Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 7:23pm

      Place a cool damp washcloth on your forehead & lean back in your recliner & breathe deeply. It all will be over if Obama gets re-elected. Nothing to worry about…relax : ) : ) : )
      Later, go out for ice cream! Yum Yum Yum

      Report Post »  
    • docgreen
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:54pm

      So does anyone think if we gave up our guns like Obama wants that we would have peace in the US? Hows it going in Nigeria, Sudan, Africa. No he just wants us to give them up, so he can use his muslim brotherhood, the gangs, and drug dealers to kill, rape, pillage, and steal everything we have! God people these Idiots are all evel and the only way this is going to stop is by them Killing us or we Converting to Islam. What a choice? Well there is one more thing we could do. Kill them before they kill us. I’m not saying go out and kill anyone but you better have enough amunition to hold and keep you safe. Then we need to kick out everyone of them from the US. Look at what Hitler did. first it was just the Jews, but then it was the sick “Obama’s Eugenics” Obamacare, the Lame, Christians and anyone else whom didn’t drink his coolade! The only way were going to be saved is by the return of Christ! Get ready for Obama to start taking more control of the Gov. and letting us do anything. If he can’t go through congress he will go around and through it! Like going to Russia and giving them part of Alaska, going to the UN for more gun control. Collaping the economy, by increasing our debt so we can’t get out of debt! Collpase from within for the muslims to takeover the US, so the New World Order can put us all into slavery!…

      Report Post »  
  • desertspeaks
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:38pm

    that peace loving religion of Islam strikes again!

    Report Post » desertspeaks  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:20pm

    The individuals will be judged. My prayers and for the friends and family of the innocent victims and may God bless their souls.

    Life is short and Eternity is forever so always live like today is the last day of your life by loving not hating.

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:17pm

    Americans will be angry at Terry Jones for burning the Koran but very few Americans will even hear about this latest atrocity by the followers of Islam.

    Even if they do hear most will just shrug their shoulders and go about their business because atrocities like this are a daily occurance in the world of islam.

    People expect it, are not surprised by it and are coming to just accept it.

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:28pm

      DB321…….. If you‘ve ever read my other posts you might know that I am a soldier in Christ’s army.

      I know all about the persecution we will and are facing these days and even worse in the future. I believe that we should recognize and fight against evil not lay about on our pious butts with a beatific smile on our face.

      My post on this story is how I feel todays American are prone to react……..not the way I reacted or will ever react to stories of what I believe is the greatest threat that the world faces today……..the Satanic force of Islam.

      And by the way that casserole remark of yours sounded very condescending

      Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:41pm

      DB321……….I made my first post at 1:17 pm shortly after this story appeared. At 4:30 there have now been all of 27 people post a comment about the Mislim murer rampage.

      Now do you understand my point?

      Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:14pm

    I’m begining to think all of Africa is in a kind of slavery to evil with few exceptions, and those I truly feel sorrow for the state of their lives here on earth.

    Report Post »  
  • GitMoFunky
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:08pm

    Did you read the piece about Dan Savage bashing Christians in a speech to high school kids (that, ironically, was supposed to be about bullying?) He called the kids who got up and walked out “pansy asses”. This is how extremism, like this story, gets started. People start trashing another group of people. The hate speech, like Savages, gets bigger and bolder when left unchecked. This is how it started for the Jews in Europe in the 30s, talk and hate speech. Eventually leads to what happened to Jews in Europe and what is beginning to happen to Christians in places like Africa and the middle east now. People like Savage need to be challenged when they spew this crap. Make them explain and back up the lies they are spewing, which they will not be able to do and you will win and be an example to those who witnessed your stand, emboldening them to do the same when they come across it. Do not let people spewing hate speech get a free pass. Stand up now when the fight is small and easy, not latter when the fight has moved beyond the confines of reasonable discussion. Just ask the Christians in N. Africa or any Jew.

    Report Post » GitMoFunky  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:34pm

      Agree. Bullies, thugs, mobs, only respond to what they understand : a stiff counter action. Bullies thrive on weakness. It is their food and fuel.

      Report Post »  
    • lbyrd26
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:31pm

      i found it a little bit strange that a bully was hired by a public school system to teach impressionable minds about bullying. His mother must be so proud.

      Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:53pm

    “Obama Official: Religion ‘Not Driving Extreme Violence’ in Nigeria… a Day After Islamists Slaughter 40+ Christians”

    More from the Obama religion of peace .. when has he EVER referred to the “HOLY” Bible . but he does talk about the “holy” Koran.

    Report Post »  
    • lbyrd26
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:27pm

      I think Prime Minister proved his religeous leanings were not to the christian faith, when he told the whole muslim world that we were not a christian nation, anymore. Those of us who read his writings before he hijacked the nation, know that he, himself admits, in his own writings to be muslim. He said he chose to follow the faith of his father. Liberals can laugh at you for knowing the truth,all they want but they can’t fight the fact that these are his own words and then they usually just call you a name and then go away.

      Report Post »  
  • nobull14
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:44pm

    Coming to a city near you !!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:22pm

    This is what Obama wants for America.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • Calm Voice of Reason
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 12:49pm

      No. No, it isn’t.

      Report Post » Calm Voice of Reason  
    • momrules
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:10pm

      Yes, yes it is.

      Report Post »  
    • ShadowPlacebo
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:16pm

      Yes it is

      Report Post » ShadowPlacebo  
    • Thevoice
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:58pm

      Obama + commie ideology = American Weakness ..When we as a nation have strong leadership, decide to unite as a cohesive people do whatever will be necessary, put away for a short time the idea of self gratification and this one world crap, are willing to fight to defend our liberty and freedom at all cost, are prepared and send one clear message to the Islamic world. When you see our armies wave a white flag of surrender or stand and die for your misguided beliefs then destroy to surrender and victory (ALL) that stand in our way. Until that day, get use to this on a more regular bases. Get use to useful idiots dividing this nation and devouring its principles.Get use to slowly becoming a nation of the watched the searched and the checked. Get use to watching children and the elderly felt up by a TSA . What are we afraid of doing ….what needed to be done when 300 Marines were blow to bits, or when American hostages were taken, or when we were hit by a decapitation strike. Guaranteed 12 months strong unwavering leadership political and military, a take seize and control with only the surrendered living and the Flintstones sand people and their sick evil infested ideology is gone. For good . And We as a nation would get the soul cleansing we need. It would also relight that wonderful flame of freedom for years to come. Until then I guess we just enjoy waiting for the next shoe to drop and enjoy watching the walls crumble around us.

      Report Post » Thevoice  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:35pm

      That’s a ridiculous statement. Obama doesn’t want Christians to be murdered here … he simply wants us to keep our faith to ourselves and let him trample all over our rights. Anyone who honestly thinks Obama wants us to be massacred needs to have his or her head examined. I see there are a few here who appear in need of that service PRONTO.

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 10:25pm

      Obama hates Christians and has been waging his Jihad against us since he has been in office..

      Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on April 29, 2012 at 10:35pm

      @Suzanne D…read your history books,the communists always kill millions….and Obama is a communist…. leave him in power and he will destroy millions of Americans.

      Report Post »  

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