According to Reuters and other sources, the numbers killed following the Christmas Eve terrorist attacks in Jos and Maiduguri has now risen to at least 80.

 

As well as those who died in the bomb blasts, others have been killed in violent exchanges between youths.

 

Christian churches were targeted in Maiduguri in north-east Nigeria. And bomb blasts rocked the city of Jos in Plateau state – targeting Christmas shoppers and celebrations.

 

Two Islamist groups have now claimed responsibility for the attacks. But while there is little doubt that the Christmas Eve attack in Maiduguri – which was solely against Christians – was religiously motivated, evidence is mounting to suggest the bomb blasts in Jos may have been carried out for political reasons.

 

Release International, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide, and the Archbishop of Jos, the Rt Rev Benjamin Kwashi, are calling for restraint. Bishop Kwashi warns against jumping to conclusions that the motive for the attacks in Jos was religious – which could stir up religious violence.

 

‘The international media was very hasty to put religion into the bombings,’ he says, ‘whereas we do not yet know the sources of the bombs nor what they intended to achieve.’ The danger, he warned, was of ‘pitching the two different communities against each other.’

 

And Andy Dipper, CEO of Release International adds: ‘Since the Jos attacks there have been further bomb blasts in the south. It points to a campaign to destabilise the country ahead of the April elections. Part of that strategy would be to play on existing tensions and set Christians against Muslims. Release joins with church leaders in urging restraint and reconciliation. And we call on the Nigerian authorities to step up security to protect their communities.’

 

 

 

Two more bombs exploded in the Niger Delta on Wednesday, during a political rally. The blasts in Yenagoa further point towards a nationwide campaign with a political agenda. The authorities believe the attacks are intended to stir up unrest ahead of the coming elections. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6BS0PT20101229

 

Islamist groups are clearly trying to make religious capital out of the unrest. A second Islamist group Jama’atu ahlus sunnah lid da’awati wal jihad has claimed responsibility for the Jos attacks.

 

In a video statement they proclaim ‘a war against non-Muslims’, declaring: ‘our Creator has ordered us to wage war on everyone who does not embrace the religion of Islam after preaching to them.’ They say the bombs were reprisals for attacks on Muslims. http://www.elombah.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4795:text-of-video-statement-by-jamaatu-ahlus-sunnah-liddaawati-wal-jihad&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=67

 

The other Islamist group to claim responsibility for the attacks, Boko Haram, whose name means ‘Western education is sinful’, struck again in Maiduguri on Tuesday, firing shots into a teaching hospital, killing three.

For a country profile on Nigeria, please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/nigeria.php

 

For further information, please call Release International on 01689 823491.