By Ayodele Oni
Two incidents happened in Kaduna state on Easter day, which nearly marred the celebration.
Suspected terrorists launched a deadly attack on worshippers in Kaduna State, killing at least seven people and abducting several others during Easter celebrations.
This is just as a compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered bus exploded at a busy transport hub in Kaduna, causing panic among commuters and raising fresh concerns over the safety of gas-powered vehicles.
The attack happened in the Ariko community, located in Kachia Local Government Area, in the early hours of Sunday, throwing residents into panic.
According to local sources, the gunmen targeted two churches, Evangelical Church Winning All (First ECWA Church) and Catholic Church (St. Augustine Catholic Church), where worshippers had gathered.
A councillor representing the area, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, surrounded the churches, and opened fire on unsuspecting worshippers.
He explained that the exact number of casualties is still unclear, with reports ranging between seven and eight deaths, adding that many others were taken into the bush by the attackers.
Residents revealed that the gunmen operated for a long period without any resistance, raising serious concerns about security in rural parts of Southern Kaduna.
Poor telecommunications in the area was also blamed for delaying any emergency response.
This attack comes just weeks after another incident in Kurmin Wali community, where several worshippers were abducted during a church gathering, further deepening fears among residents.
Authorities are yet to release full details, but the police say updates will be provided as investigations continue.
The bus explosion occurred at the popular Lagos Garage Terminus in the Mando area of the city, where the bus was reportedly preparing for departure before the sudden explosion.
Eyewitnesses said the blast, which occurred suddenly, sent passengers, traders, and bystanders fleeing for safety as thick smoke and debris filled the area.
Emergency responders and security personnel were quickly deployed to the scene to contain the situation and prevent further damage.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported as of the time of filing this report, though the vehicle was severely damaged by the explosion.
Authorities have yet to ascertain the exact cause of the incident, but preliminary concerns point to possible technical faults in the gas system.
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