Nine arrested over attempt to bomb church in Bauchi

Nine persons have been arrested by the police in Bauchi state for attempting to attack a COCIN  church with weapons and locally made explosives in Miya Barkatai village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The suspected bombers are Lamba Goma, Filibus Danasa, Joshua Ali, Danjuma Sabo, Joseph Audu, Simon Gabriel, Bulus Haruna, Yohanna Ishaya and Daniel Ayuba (who was the immediate past Secretary of PDP at Tilden Fulani Ward, Toro LGA, Bauchi State).

The suspects are members of the same COCIN church, Unguwar Rimi, a new and small Christian settlement between Tilden Fulani and Shere Hills. The suspects who were thoroughly beaten by the public were rescued by police and then detained at the Toro Divisional Police Division before they were transferred to Bauchi State Police Command, Bauchi.

At about the same time this morning in the Neighbouring Plateau State, a bomb explosion was reported at the headquarters of the same COCIN church during a Sunday service. The number of casualties are about 6 dead and over 50 people injured as at the time of this report. 

Mr Ikechukwu  Aduba, the police commissioner,who confirmed the incident,  said  some people attempted to attack a COCIN LCC Church with weapons and locally made explosives that can be operated manually.

According to the police commissioner, from investigations carried out by the police, the suspects are a  rival group within the church.

He said,“  It was a rival group within the church that decided to attack this morning.  When we got the report, we sent our men,who arrested about seven members of the group. The group had something like explosives, but we are waiting for the bomb experts to confirm our suspicion, because sometimes after investigation it may turn out to be something else and not explosives”.

Aduba added that the  Police are still investigating the incident.

                The bomb they allegedly attempted to detonate