Gunmen Storm Church During Service in Maiduguri

Gunmen suspected to be the radical Islamic sect; Boko Haram today launched an attack on a local Church of the Brethren- Ekilisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) in Maiduguri the Borno State capital while the Sunday service was in progress.

Today’s incident marks the first time that an attack will be launched on a church in the Maiduguri metropolis in broad daylight during Sunday service since the Boko Haram insurgence heightened in the area.

Worshippers said the gunmen numbering about five came to the church area located at Bulunkutu ward in the metropolis in a tricycle at about 11a.m and opened fire directly into the church targeting the worshippers when the sermon was being delivered.

They wondered how the gunmen could dare the soldiers in front of the church to launch such attack.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt Col Sagir Musa who confirmed the incident said the troops at the church post immediately repelled the attack.

“They came firing into the church area but our men at the post rose to the occasion and fired back at them. We successfully repelled the attack and the gunmen fled immediately”

He revealed that a police attached to the JTF was hit by bullet but has been treated and discharged from the hospital.