Two suicide bombers who targeted St. Pious Catholic Church in Shuwa, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, have detonated their bombs.
They, however, killed only themselves, SaharaReporters can report.
Papka Medugu, a parishioner who witnessed the incident, told SaharaReporters on Sunday morning that suspected Boko Haram members “targeted our church while the morning mass was going on, but to God’s glory they both exploded before they could access the church”.
“Vigilant Catholic cadet boys on patrol around the church vicinity prevented the bombers from gaining entry into the church, thereby forcing the explosives to detonate before getting to their target,” the eyewitness said, just as he confirmed that only the two bombers were killed in the incident.
Most Reverend Stephen Dami Mamza, Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, confirmed the attack to SaharaReporters.
“Catholic cadets stopped them at the main entrance. The bombers arrived 30 minutes into the mass which started around 6am. When they could not access the church, they detonated, but thank God none of the cadets were hurt. Only a grandmother and her grandson were shocked by the loud bang, but they have since left the hospital,” he said.
Mamza, who doubles as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Adamawa State chapter, further said armed military personnel were drafted to the scene within minutes of the attack and have since cordoned off the area to recover possible unexploded devices.
Shuwa village, which is about 30 minutes drive to the Sambisa stronghold of the outlawed Boko Haram sect, has witnessed series of Boko Haram incursions in recent times.
Ahmed Umar Fintiri, the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is widely speculated to clinch the keenly contested governorship election is from the area.
Brigadier General Bello Mohammad of the 23 Brigade Yola has declined comments, stating that “Madagali is not within my jurisdiction”.
Meanwhile, results of the governorship and assembly elections have just started trickling in at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.