. 34 feared dead in blasts, reprisals. 24-hour curfew imposed. Mark: Bombers out to cause warA series of suicide bomb blasts in Kaduna and Zaria cities, Kaduna State, and spontaneous reprisal attacks in parts of Kaduna yesterday left at least 34 people killed and about 150 wounded, witnesses said.The first suicide bomber hit the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Wusasa, at about 8:35am killing at least three people while the second attacked the Christ the King Cathedral Catholic Church at No. 80, Yoruba Street, Sabon Gari, Zaria at about 8:45am killing at least 20 and injuring many, according to witnesses.A witness, Idris Abubakar, said the 20 killed as a result of the Sabon Gari blast included Muslims doing petty businesses around the church and those who went to patronise local Hausa food vendors for breakfast.The third suicide bomber attacked Shalom Church International in Trikaniya, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State at about 10: 17 am, killing at least four people, including himself, while many worshippers and passersby sustained injuries.According to a witness, the suicide bomber came in a red jeep and drove towards the church on high speed trying to force his way into the main building.After the bombing in Trikaniya, suspected Christian youths blocked the Kaduna'Abuja highway at Gonin Gora,pulling perceived Muslims out of cars and killing them, our correspondent reported. Similar attacks were also reported at Anguwan Romi, Kakuri, Sabon Tasha and Trikaniya areas of Kaduna city.Witnesses told our correspondent that not less than seven people were killed in the attacks at Gonin Gora.The exact number of people killed at Gonin Gora could not be ascertained as at press time but Daily Trust learnt that some of the most violent attacks occurred at that point.Reuters quoted a witness as saying that as many as 20 people might have been killed at the roadblock erected by the mob.One Haruna Isah told the foreign news agency that 'up to 20 people might have been killed in reprisals at the road-block. There were bodies everywhere on the ground.''We had to return home when we saw (the Christian youths) attacking. I saw many bodies on the ground, but I don't know how many were dead or just injured,' Kaduna resident Rafael Gwaza also told Reuters.A photo journalist with Daily Independent Newspaper, Mr Nathaniel Jibril, was among the first people to be attacked by mob who were protesting the Trikaniya Church attack. He was, alongside other victims, that were rushed to St. Gerard Hospital for treatment.The violent riots grounded the entire state capital, forcing the Kaduna State government to declare a 24-hour curfew to prevent further escalation.Governor Patrick Yakowa in a state-wide broadcast said the curfew became necessary in order to stop the violent riot. 'We woke up this morning to the unfortunate blast in Zaria and Kaduna. As a result, 24 hours curfew has been imposed on the whole state. Keeping indoors to allow the security agent to perform their duties effectively to fish out these criminals and to forestall riots.'Following the curfew, hundreds of travellers were trapped either inside Kaduna town or between Zaria and Kaduna. Those trapped include many workers who were returning to Abuja after the weekend.Also, many victims of the Gonin Gora attacks are said to be travellers on their way to Abuja or those who were about entering Kaduna from its southern part.Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent Frank Mba said the IG, Abubakar Mohammed, has ordered massive deployment of both 'conventional and anti-riot police units across every nook and cranny of the state including the highways.'In addition, the DIG in charge of 'A' department (administration), Suleiman D. Fakai, who is also coordinating police operations in the North-West, is already in Kaduna where he is personally coordinating police operations.'The spokesman confirmed that the blasts in Kaduna and Zaria killed 16 people and no one had claimed responsibility for the attacks.President Goodluck Jonathan who was attending a special church service to commemorate the 2012 Fathers Day, in Abuja, expressed sadness at the multiple explosions.When called upon to give his remarks, Jonathan said: 'I was quite thrilled about what was going on in the church and when I got the information that while we were here, there were explosions in Kaduna and since I don't even know the casualty rate and what is happening; I have been quite sad and I didn't even want to say something.'The president said he had consolation in God who is capable of handling every situation and healing the nation.Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, also urged residents of the emirate as well as other Nigerians to remain calm while the relevant authorities investigate to find out the masterminds of the Zaria/Kaduna attacks.Also reacting to the blasts, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said dialogue is the only way out of the recurrent bomb attacks in the country.In a statement, through its national publicity secretary, Anthony Sani, the ACF noted that yesterday's attacks came to the forum as a surprise as the federal government was engaging aggrieved groups on constructive dialogue.
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