Panic in Kano churches

Posted by admin Kano, State News Monday, March 19th, 2012

Churches in Kano closed services abruptly yesterday, following threats by the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, to launch attacks..

In Jos, the Plateau State capital, the police barred worshippers from parking their cars inside church premises.

Some Kano churches were said to have received a letter believed to have been written by the sect, threatening to bomb them.

Worshippers hurriedly dispersed as the news of the threat spread.

Security was immediately strengthened in other churches where services went on. A joint team of military and riot policemen cordoned off the areas where most of the prominent churches are located.

Some worshippers had a hectic time entering their churches as the security operatives combed them for explosives.

At the St. Thomas and St. Charles Catholic churches, the parish priests reportedly ended services abruptly, dispersing worshippers after reading a piece of paper handed over to them.

Rev. Fr. Charles Agumadu of St. Thomas on Bompai Road was said to have cited “security reasons” for terminating the mass. Following the announcement, worshippers rushed home.

There was heavy security presence at the Anglican Church of St Stephen’s on New Road.

A road block in areas with many churches stretched to over 1,000 metres to the church buildings. There was also vehicular patrol around the city.

Church attendance has remained low since January 20 when Boko Haram struck, killing no fewer than 200.

Worshippers in Jos parked their vehicles outside church premises, in compliance with a directive aimed at checking suicide attacks during services.

The directive to park vehicles outside churches came after a meeting between religious leaders and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ayeni.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The measure was informed by the spate of suicide bombings at churches on Sundays, and “the general state of insecurity”.

Most worshippers did not park their cars within the premises of the buildings.

At the Living Faith Church on Richards Street, the Senior Pastor, Abel Dingamaji, did not park in his official parking space. He parked outside the premises like other members.

At the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church on Murtala Mohammed Way, worshippers’ vehicles were barred from the premises.

The parking lot of the Church of Immaculate Conception, Zaramangada was empty as most people did not bring their vehicles.

Women were also not allowed to take their handbags into the churches. They were directed to drop them at the security posts and enter the church with only their Bibles and writing materials.

Security has been strengthened across the metropolis, with the military Special Task Force (STF) searching vehicles, motorcycles and passengers.

This is in compliance with the directive of the STF Commander, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, who decried the alleged use of military uniform by suicide bombers.

He directed that everybody, including security personnel, be subjected to rigorous checks to halt the trend.

Vehicle bonnets and trunks were searched. Motorcyclists and their passengers were frisked by the soldiers to ensure that they were not carrying any explosive device.

Roads leading to churches were also blocked and traffic diverted by the churches’ security personnel and soldiers.

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were stationed at strategic locations and STF, police force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel stepped up vehicular patrols.

-The Nationwp_posts