Churches Bombed in Nigeria and Burned in Ethiopia

​Destructive Night Attacks
In Bauchi State more than 4,000 Christians were forced to flee from their homes as Muslim Fulani Tribesman launched night attacks on 10 March. In the Tafawa Balewa area alone, 463 homes, 11 shops and 13 churches were destroyed.
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Truck Bombs InterceptedThe next day, 11 March, security forces in Nigeria seized a truck laden with sophisticated bomb making equipment as it crossed from the Muslim state of Kaduna into the mostly Christian Plateau State. The truck was bound for Jos, a flashpoint in the North-South Islam–Christian fault line in Nigeria.

​Jihadists Blow Themselves Up
On Sunday morning 20 March, three Hausa Muslim bombers blew themselves up when the bombs they were transporting exploded en-route to the targeted churches. The massive explosion at Dualla Junction in Nasarawa, Jos, destroyed shops and rocked the nearby Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), churches which it has been established were the intended targets. The explosion at Dualla Junction disrupted a church service which consisted mostly of Hausa converts from Islam. Worshipers fled in panic.

Bomb Fails to Detonate
The same day, a bomb planted at the Mountain of Faith and Miracles Church on Gengre Road in Jos failed to detonate. The two men who placed the bomb escaped on a motorcycle. The security forces have stated that they do not know if the two attempted bombings in Jos were related, or committed by different groups.

Muslim Mob Attacks ChristiansIn Bauchi State, over 2,000 Muslim militants went on the rampage attacking Christian homes, shops and churches. There have been other reports of hundreds of armed Fulani youths attacking the homes of Christians and churches. Anti-Christian violence has increased in Northern Nigeria since December 2010.

Churches Burned in Ethiopia
Over 60 churches and church buildings have been set on fire by Muslim mobs in and around Asendabo, approximately 250km from the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Thousands of Muslim militants went on the rampage injuring and killing Christians, destroying property and targeting churches. Reportedly, the attacks were sparked by Muslims accusing a Christian of desecrating a copy of the Quran. Police were reportedly standing by and not intervening. The damage done to local churches is estimated to run into many millions of Dollars. Since December, there has been a sharp increase in violence against Christians in Muslim areas. Car bombs in Egypt, terror attacks on churches in Iraq, Muslim mobs attacking churches in Ethiopia and Northern Nigeria and the assassination of prominent Christians in Pakistan.

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Hebrews 13:3

Dr. Peter Hammond 
Frontline Fellowship 
P O Box 74 Newlands 7725 
Cape Town South Africa 
Tel: 021 689-4480 
Email:  admin@frontline.org.za