SECURITY ALERT WITH JIDE

Pope calls for end to attack on Christians in Nigeria

Pope Benedict the sixteenth has appealed for an immediate end to what he called terrorist attacks against Christians in Nigeria and urged all sides to avoid reprisals.

The bombed Church in Kaduna

The Pope at his weekly general audience on Wednesday expressed his concern on the persistent suicide and bomb attacks on Churches saying, he is following with deep concern the news from Nigeria, where terrorist attacks are continuing especially against Christians.

A number of Churches have been attacked across the states in northern Nigeria with untold number of deaths. Such suicide attacks have continued unabated in the last three weeks, killing people during the Church service.

The Pontiff appealed for calm, urging the perpetrators to stop killing the innocent. 

He also appealed to all groups in the country to shun “the path of vendetta” and work towards building a peaceful society where people were free to practice their religion.

Reprisals attacks in Kaduna on Tuesday, following the bomb attack on three churches in Zaria, has led to the death of dozens while gun feuds in Yobe state, since Monday has also claimed a number of lives.

The escalating violence has raised fears of wider sectarian conflict in a country reeling from months of attacks on churches, government buildings and other sites by the Islamist Boko Haram sect.

48 hours after gun battle between the Joint Task Force and suspected members of the Boko Haram sect broke out in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital; residents are still held back in their various homes and offices.

This is happening due to the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the city on Monday, which has crippled economic activities in the north east state.

Commissioner of Police Patrick Egbuniwe said his officers and other security agents are working on dispatching those that were trapped in various places during the attack, to their various homes.

He said the attack caughtt up with so many people in their places of businesses, offices among other places of livelihood, hence efforts is being intensified towards taking them to their respective homes.

On the relaxation of the curfew the CP said the police command in collaboration with other security agencies are still studying the situation and will relax it only when normalcy has been restored.

He noted that the situation is generally calm at the moment but the relaxation of the curfew will not be rushed as they are working on ensuring permanent peace in the state.

People have remained indoors since Monday, when series of gun feuds rocked the city, living residents in their homes for fear of attack coupled with the prevailing 24 hour curfew yesterday by the state government.