June 2012 Kaduna church bombings

On 17 June 2012, three Christian churches in northern Nigeria were attacked by bomb explosions. At least 12 were killed and 80 were wounded.[1] On 24 June 2012, Reuters UK reported that 19 people were killed.[2]

June 2012 Kaduna church bombings
Part of Islamist insurgency in Nigeria
LocationKaduna, Wusasa and Sabon Gari
Date17 June 2012 (2012-06-17)
TargetChristian churches
Attack type
Bombings, terrorism, mass murder
WeaponsThree bombs
Deaths12–19
Injured80

Bombings

Two of the three blasts happened in the Wusasa and Sabon-Gari districts of Zaria. The third blast happened in Kaduna, the state capital of the Kaduna State. There have been unconfirmed reports of two more blasts in the southern area of Kaduna.

A 24-hour curfew has been imposed by Kaduna State authorities.[1]

Responsibility

The Kaduna State have stated that Boko Haram could possibly be responsible for the attacks. According to other sources, no one is yet certain about the source of the attack but many believe it to be Boko Haram.[3] This organisation has previously justified attacks on churches by saying they were retaliatory attacks for killings of Muslims in central Nigeria.[1]

Boko Haram states it wants Islamic sharia law in place across Nigeria and is trying to trigger clashes between Christians and Muslims.

References
  1. BBC News Africa : "Nigeria: Dozens dead in church bombings and rioting" (17 June 2012) – (Retrieved : 29 June 2012)
  2. Reuters-UK : "Nigerian Christian worship subdued by church bombs", by Augustine Madu and Joe Brock (24 June 2012) – (Retrieved : 29 June 2012)
  3. All Africa : "Nigeria: Yobe Attacked As Death Toll in Kaduna Bombings Climbs to 74" [in] This Day (19 June 2012) – (Retrieved : 29 June 2012)
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