Christmas 2011 Nigeria attacks explained

December 2011 Northern Nigeria attacks
Partof:the Nigerian Sharia conflict
Location: Madalla, Jos, Gadaka, and Damaturu, Nigeria
Date:25 December 2011
Type:Suicide bombings, bombings and shootings
Fatalities:41+[1]
Injuries:57+
Perp:Boko Haram

A series of attacks occurred during Christmas Day church services in northern Nigeria on 25 December 2011. There were bomb blasts and shootings at churches in Madalla, Jos, Gadaka, and Damaturu. A total of 41 people were reported dead.

Boko Haram, a Muslim sect in Nigeria, later claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Bombings

Madalla

At least 37 people died and 57 others were injured in an attack at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, a satellite town of Abuja located 40km (30miles) from the city center.[1] A local coordinator with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the death toll.

NEMA spokesperson Yushau Shuaibu said that the Madalla bombing occurred on the street outside the church. He added that the church, which can hold 1,000 people, was badly affected by the blast. Witnesses said that the windows of nearby houses were shattered by the explosion. Officials at the local hospital said that the condition of many injured people was serious. Slaku Luguard, a NEMA coordinator, said that rescue workers found at least 25 bodies and officials were tallying the wounded in various hospitals. NEMA acknowledged that it did not have enough ambulances to help the wounded. Luguard also said that an angry crowd, which gathered at the blast site, blocked emergency workers from getting inside: "We're trying to calm the situation. There are some angry people around trying to cause problems," he said.[2]

Jos

An explosion hit the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Jos and gunmen later fired on police who were guarding the area resulting in the death of one police officer.[3] [4] [5]

Another two bombs were found in a nearby building and were disarmed.[6]

Gadaka and Damaturu

Two explosions were reported in the city of Damaturu and another at a church in the northeastern town of Gadaka.[7] At least one of the attacks in Damaturu was the work of a suicide car bomber, who rammed the building housing the headquarters of the State Security Service. At least three people were killed in that blast; a senior military commander allegedly targeted by it survived.[3]

Perpetrators

The attacks were claimed by the Islamist group Boko Haram.[6]

Reactions

Domestic

Former secretary Reverend John Joseph Hyap expressed sadness that the attack was carried out at the time Christians were celebrating Christmas with their counterparts in the world.[12]

Supranational bodies

UN Security Council condemned the attacks and ratified the need to fight terrorism by all means. It also said that terrorism in all its forms and expressions is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motives or where, when and who perpetrates the crimes. It further added that these actions cannot be linked to any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.[16]

States

Foreign Minister Alain Juppe condemned the "violent attacks" and sent his condolences to the victims' families and the Nigerian government, while also denouncing the "outbreak of violence. As I expressed to the Nigerian authorities during my visit there in November last year, France supports them in their fight against terrorism."[19]

Director of the Press Office Father Federico Lombardi condemned the attacks and said: "We are close to the suffering of the Nigerian Church and the entire Nigerian people so tried by terrorist violence, even in these days that should be of joy and peace."[22]

A statement by the Department of International Relation and Co-operation read: "Following the attacks of 25 December, President Zuma has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly families of the deceased and the injured."[30]

Religious organisations

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Nigeria church bomb death toll rises to 37, wounded 57. Reuters. 30 December 2011. 30 December 2011. dead. https://archive.today/20130113105453/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/nigeria-church-bomb-death-toll-rises-to-37-wounded-57/. 13 January 2013.
  2. News: Explosions Rip Through Churches in Nigeria. 25 December 2011. New York Times. 25 December 2011.
  3. News: Christmas attacks in Nigeria by Muslim sect kill 39. USA Today. AP. 25 December 2011. 25 December 2011.
  4. Web site: 28 killed in Nigeria church blasts. 25 December 2011. DNA. 25 December 2011.
  5. News: Nigeria churches hit by blasts during Christmas prayers. 25 December 2011. BBC News. 25 December 2011.
  6. News: Radical Muslim sect claims bomb attacks on Nigerian churches; at least 25 killed. https://web.archive.org/web/20190115144159/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/authorities-say-explosion-strikes-near-catholic-church-close-to-nigerias-capital-abuja/2011/12/25/gIQAP6hnGP_story.html. dead. 15 January 2019. 25 December 2011. The Washington Post. 25 December 2011.
  7. News: Christmas bombs target Nigeria churches . . 25 December 2011 . 25 December 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140918023235/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/2011122581347745807.html . 18 September 2014.
  8. News: Islamists explode five bombs in Nigeria churches. 25 December 2011. The Jerusalem Post. 25 December 2011.
  9. Ahamefula Ogbu and Seriki Adinoyi, "In Jos, Christian, Muslim Leaders Seal Peace Deal," This Day Live (Lagos, Nigeria), 28 December 2011. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/in-jos-christian-muslim-leaders-seal-peace-deal/105975/
  10. Web site: Sylva condemns bomb blats, cautions against retaliation. 26 December 2011. The Moment. 26 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120120051941/http://www.momentng.com/en/news/5636/sylva-condemns-bomb-blats-cautions-against-retaliation--.html. 20 January 2012. dead.
  11. News: AU, NLC, France condemn Christmas day bombings. 27 December 2011. Vanguard. 27 December 2011.
  12. News: Christmas bombing: ACF, JNI, CAN condemn terrorism. 26 December 2011. The Moment. 26 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120423162815/http://www.momentng.com/en/news/5635/christmas-bombing-acf-jni-can-condemn-terrorism-.html. 23 April 2012. dead.
  13. News: The African Union strongly Condemns the terrorist bombing in Nigeria. 26 December 2011. AU. 26 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120417201232/http://www.au.int/en/sites/default/files/PR%20-%20Nigeria%2026%20December%202011.pdf. 17 April 2012. dead.
  14. News: OIC condemns latest violence in Nigeria. 26 December 2011. Emirates News Agency. 26 December 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120111062000/http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1289996682611&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews. 11 January 2012.
  15. Web site: New York, 25 December 2011 – Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on bombings in Nigeria. 25 December 2011. UN. 25 December 2011.
  16. News: UN Security Council Condemns Attacks in Nigeria. 26 December 2011. Prensa Latina. 26 December 2011.
  17. Web site: Canada condemns "cowardly" bomb blasts at Nigerian churches. 25 December 2011. iPolitics. 26 December 2011.
  18. Web site: Deadly Nigeria bomb attacks condemned by world leaders. 25 December 2011. BBC News. 26 December 2011.
  19. News: France FM Cndemns Nigeria's Fatal Attacks. https://archive.today/20120716034346/http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/12/26/2701s673361.htm. dead. 16 July 2012. 26 December 2011. China Radio International. 26 December 2011.
  20. News: Pope condemns Nigeria attacks, prays for them to stop. 26 December 2011. Jerusalem Post. 26 December 2011.
  21. News: Pope condemns Nigeria attacks, expresses sympathy. 26 December 2011. Vatican Information Service. 28 December 2011.
  22. News: Pope Christmas peace appeal marred by Nigeria blasts. 25 December 2011. Reuters. 25 December 2011.
  23. News: Israel condemns Christmas attacks in Nigeria. 25 December 2011. Ynetnews. 26 December 2011.
  24. News: European leaders, Vatican condemn Nigeria Christmas attacks. 25 December 2011. The Gazette. 26 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120117143546/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/European+leaders+Vatican+condemn+Nigeria+Christmas+attacks/5909469/story.html. 17 January 2012. dead.
  25. News: Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the recent situation in Nigeria. 26 December 2011. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 26 December 2011.
  26. News: Malaysia condemns Nigerian church bombings. https://web.archive.org/web/20120107214947/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F12%2F28%2Fnation%2F20111228141047&sec=nation. dead. 7 January 2012. 28 December 2011. The Star. 28 December 2011.
  27. News: Lopez. Lorena. Condena México atentados en Nigeria. https://archive.today/20130128193250/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/1e42c4ecf6b1c3492a77d8f2dfc520ea. dead. 28 January 2013. 27 December 2011. es. Milenio Noticias. 26 December 2011.
  28. News: The State of Qatar Condemns Nigeria's Attacks. 29 December 2011. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. 27 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407041907/http://english.mofa.gov.qa/newsPage.cfm?newsid=18922. 7 April 2012. dead.
  29. News: Kremlin – Condolences to President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan. 6 December 2011. Russian Presidential Executive Office. Kremlin.ru. 26 December 2011.
  30. News: Zuma condoles Nigeria over Xmas Day bombings. 28 December 2011. The Nation. 28 December 2011.
  31. Web site: Spain Condemns Madalla Attacks. 28 December 2011. AllAfrica.com. 28 December 2011.
  32. News: President Marzouki condemns Christmas Day bombs on Nigerian churches. 27 December 2011. Tunis Afrique Presse. 27 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120108023919/http://www.tap.info.tn/en/en/politics/8630-president-marzouki-condemns-christmas-day-bombs-on-nigerian-churches.html. 8 January 2012. dead.
  33. Web site: Turkey Condemns Church Attacks in Nigeria. https://web.archive.org/web/20120213163452/http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/128761/turkey-condemns-church-attacks-in-nigeria.html. dead. 13 February 2012. 26 December 2011. Journal of Turkish Weekly. 26 December 2011.
  34. News: Hague condemns 'cowardly' Nigeria Christmas attacks. https://web.archive.org/web/20140303160020/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hjLWr1oWdHQNJPF9No3GBCxIOVlw?docId=CNG.08bf367b8562759d55ef1851220362a0.b41. dead. 3 March 2014. 25 December 2011. AFP. 25 December 2011.
  35. News: Condemnation follows Nigeria church blasts. 26 December 2011. Al Jazeera. 26 December 2011.
  36. News: President Sata condemns terror attack on Nigeria. 28 December 2011. Lusaka Times. 28 December 2011.
  37. News: Ahmadiyya Malta condemns attacks on churches in Nigeria. 26 December 2011. Times of Malta. 26 December 2011.
  38. Web site: AJC Condemns Deadly Terrorist Attacks on Churches in Nigeria. 25 December 2011. AJC. 26 December 2011.
  39. News: B'nai B'rith Strongly Condemns Christmas Day Bombings in Nigeria. B'nai B'rith. 28 December 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120109175149/http://www.bnaibrith.org/latest_news/NigeriaBombings122711.cfm. 9 January 2012. dead.
  40. News: NCAIR Condemns Attacks on Nigerian Churches. 25 December 2011. Sacramento Bee. 26 December 2011.
  41. News: ICNA condemns attacks on Nigerian church-goers. ICNA. 28 December 2011.
  42. News: World Muslims Condemn Nigeria Attacks. 26 December 2011. OnIslam.net. 26 December 2011.
  43. Web site: Nigeria terror attacks condemned. 26 December 2011. Press Association. 26 December 2011.