Explosion rocks Catholic church in Taraba

Explosives suspected to have been planted by terrorists have destroyed part of the Catholic Chapel of St. John’s College, Mutum-Biyu, headquarters of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to a report by Daily Trust, the Principal of the College, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ikyaan, told journalists that the device went off around 7:20 pm on Sunday.

He said no life was lost but the building was affected.

“The youths and some students held a programme in the chapel, which doubles as the school hall but left the premises shortly before the explosion,” he said.

It was gathered that after the attack in the church, the terrorists also went inside the town and started shooting.

A resident, Mallam Dalhatu Sule told Daily Trust that the shooting started when people were observing Magrib prayers.

He said they were forced to shorten the time of prayers and leave the mosques hurriedly. Mutumbiyu town, in recent times, has come under attacks by terrorists, leading to abductions.

“The terrorists attempted to abduct a businessman named Alhaji Babale but luckily for him, he escaped through the back door of a mosque inside his filling station, where he was praying,” Sule said.

Taraba State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the attack.

“What happened was that some kidnappers attempted to seize the owner of one filling station in the town. Fortunately, the owner of the filling station escaped unhurt.

“The attackers threw an explosive into the church to scare people and enable them to escape from the town,” he was qouted.