Nigeria Content Online

Three persons were
killed on Sunday, when a device assumed to be explosives, exploded at
Dualla junction, Nassarawa Gwong in Jos North Local Government Area of
Plateau State.

Eye witness
report said two men riding on a motor cycle were suspected to be
carrying the explosive which detonated in their custody, killing both
of them instantly.

The third person
was riding alone and turned to escape from the scene of the explosion
when angry residents pulled him down, before killing him and setting
his body ablaze. The mob also burnt the two who died from the explosion.

The incident,
which occurred at about 9:45am, took place near the premises of ECWA
Church, Nassarawa Gwong, some 300 meters from Angwa Rukuba junction.
The junction was scene of the multiple explosions that rocked the city
on December 24, last year.

Pastor in charge of the ECWA parish, Satti Adamu said he was in the church when he heard the sound of an explosion.

“When I came out,
I was told that some Hausa boys wanted to throw a bomb and it exploded
and killed them,” he said. “We had just finished the English service
and were about to start the Hausa service when it happened. The
confusion and reaction it generated disrupted the Hausa service. So, we
did not hold it today.”

Statement from Police

Plateau state
police command confirmed the tragedy. In a bulletin released Sunday
afternoon and signed by the police spokesperson, Apev Jacob, the
command said: “At about 09:45hrs, two men believed to be carrying
explosive devices on them rode on a motorcycle along Nassarawa Gwong,
and on getting to Dualla Junction, the explosives exploded on them
along the road between ECWA and COCIN churches. The two persons lost
their lives in the incident. No church was bombed and there are no
facts yet to suggest that churches were the target.”

Lucky escape

However, security
was immediately beefed up around the Mountain of Fire and Miracles
church, near VIO’s office, after men of the anti bomb squad uncovered a
high-capacity bomb which was planted a few meters from the church
building. A bomb expert at the state police, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, confirmed the discovery.

“If the bomb had gone off, its impact could have raged as far as 500 square meters,” he said.

The state police
commissioner, Abdulkareem Akanno later went into an emergency talk with
the men of the anti bomb squad. But the result of the meeting was not
available to the press.