Bandits blow up church in Taraba

Bandits blow up church in Taraba.

St. John’s College, A catholic church in Mutum-Biyu, headquarters of Gassol Local Government area of Taraba State was rocked by explosion on Sunday January 23.

Principal of the College, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ikyaan, told journalists that the explosive planted by terrorists went off around 7:20 pm on Sunday.

While no life was lost, the building was badly affected. Ikyaan has now called for a thorough investigation to unravel those behind the attack, demanding that the perpetrators be brought to book.

He said;

“We thank God no life was lost, but the Church has been destroyed. About 10 minutes after the explosion in the school, we started hearing gunshots in the town.

“The youths and some students were holding a programme in the Chapel which doubled as the school hall and had left the premises shortly before the explosion.

“This is a religious premises and if attacks like these are happening to the Church, where will people run to?

“I want to call for a thorough investigation to unravel those behind the attack and the perpetrators brought to book.”

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

Usman said;

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

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