Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Nigerian Extremists Plan to Disrupt April elections

BY SUCCESS KANAYO UCHIME

The Muslim Extremists in Nigeria are seriously planning on how to disrupt the forthcoming general elections in April by stirring up unrest in some parts of the Northern States.


This view is contained in a report by the United Kingdom based registered Christian Charity organization, Release International (www.releaseinternational.org) adding that they have launched fresh attacks on Christians and churches in Plateau.

(Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Nigerian President)

It noted that in Plateau state, central Nigeria, bombers appeared to be targeting church goers when they detonated a device in Nasawara Gwom, a mainly Christian district of Jos, on Sunday. However, they succeeded only in killing themselves and damaging a nearby shop.

It observed that the intended targets of this attack were apparently members of the nearby Church of Christ In Nigeria and the Evangelical Church Winning All adding that the militants also planted a second bomb behind the headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry (MFMM) but it was discovered and made safe.

“Churches were already on high alert – after warnings of bomb attacks. Release sources suggest that extremists may have been trying to sidestep heightened security around churches, by targeting Christians on their journeys home,” the report stated.

It continued: “Release sources in Nigeria say that extremists appear to be trying to whip up religious violence to create a state of emergency in Plateau ahead of the elections on April 9. Last week, security officials intercepted a truckload of explosives and ammunition in Jos.”

It noted that Release partners also reported that three other people, said to be Christians, were killed earlier on Sunday – and six others stabbed.

Speaking on this latest development, the Archbishop of Jos, The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, stated: 'The only real answer is prayer. I trust God to defend us. I have been threatened with death personally three times. In all three times, the Lord has rescued me.”

Quoting Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the report said that violence continues in other parts of Nigeria. In Bauchi state, more than 4,000 people fled their homes after armed assailants launched night raids on villages in the Tafawa Balewa area on March 10. Extremists burnt down 13 churches and more than 450 homes.



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