Explosion hits Taraba Catholic school chapel

A device has exploded at the Catholic Chapel of St. John’s College, Mutum-Biyu, Gassol Local Council of Taraba State.

The principal of the college, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ikyaan, told journalists that the explosion took place at about 7.20 p.m. on Sunday.

His words: “We thank God that no life was lost, but the church has been destroyed; and 10 minutes after the explosion in the school, we started hearing gunshots in the town.

“The youths and some students were holding a programme in the chapel, which was also used as a school hall. They had left the premises before the explosion.”

The cleric called for a thorough investigation to unravel those behind the attack and bring them to book.

Taraba Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the attack to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“What happened was that some kidnappers came to abduct the owner of a filling station in the town. Unfortunately, they could not achieve their mission. While trying to escape, they started shooting sporadically.

“It was in the process that they threw an explosive into the church to cause fear, to enable them to escape. The device exploded and damaged the building. Luckily, nobody was hurt,” he said.

Source: The Guardian