Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Boko Haram kill 19 at church bible study in Kogi

Three men came to the church just before Bible study began, but instead of joining the worship service they opened fire, killing at least 19 people in an attack that shows that violence already seen elsewhere in the divided nation is spreading.
Witnesses and the military described a chaotic, blood-soaked scene at the Deeper Life church in Otite, a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Okene, 250 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Nigeria's capital Abuja.

Two gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect sprayed the windowless sanctuary Monday night with fire from Kalashnikov assault rifles
Two gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect sprayed the windowless sanctuary Monday night with fire from Kalashnikov assault rifles, said Lt. Col. Gabriel Olorunyomi, the head of a local joint army and police unit. Another armed man stayed back and switched off the generator providing lights in the church, leaving those inside unable to flee as the gunfire flashed through the darkness, witness Lawan Saliu said. Saliu spoke from a hospital bed Tuesday after sustaining a gunshot wound to his stomach.
It remained unclear how many people were wounded in the attack. Olorunyomi said some of the injured sought care in hospitals, while others remained at home. A rescue official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as officials had yet to publicly release casualty numbers, said there likely were less than 20 people wounded in the attack.

No comments: