Church Bombing Kills 10 in Nigeria, Reprisal Attacks See Bloodshed Continue

By Daniel Blake, Christian Post Contributor Sunday, March 11, 2012

Terrorists have attacked a church in the central Nigerian city of Jos, killing at least 10 people, local officials have confirmed.

It has been reported that suicide car bombers targeted a Catholic church in the city. The car was stopped before it could enter the immediate compound around the church, however, the car was exploded killing those nearby.

The attack marks just the latest in a series of bombings and shootings to target Christians in the country since the end of last year. At time of press no group has claimed responsibility for the latest terror attacks.

A roadblock burns after a bombing at St. Finbarr's Catholic Church in the Rayfield suburb of the Nigerian city of Jos March 11, 2012. | (Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

Two weeks ago a church bombing in Jos killed three people and injured nearly 40. Extremist Islamic group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for those attacks.

Reports have said that in today's attack a car was stopped from entering the church compound. The driver was asked to open the trunk of the car but refused. The driver then detonated the explosives, killing himself as well as at least 10 other worshippers near the car.

The huge explosion caused damage to the church roof, windows and perimeter fence, according to an Associated Press report.

Despite the continuous bloodshed in the country over recent months, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has said his government was "winning" the battle against the terrorists. He also asked locals to "refrain from taking matters into their own hands through actions such as reprisal attacks."

However, there were a number of reprisal attacks on Muslims close to the church in the aftermath of the tragedy. It has been reported that as many as 10 Muslims were attacked and killed by angry youth who went on the rampage following the church bombing, according to Reuters.

Plateau Gov. Jonah David Jang has said, "This is an unfortunate situation and we will do all we can to prevent future occurrences. We all must be calm and we all must leave things in the hands of God who knows why he has allowed this to happen," according to CNN.