Hundreds of worshippers yesterday cheated death in Jos, the Plateau State capital, as three bombs planted in the premises of ECWA Church in Jos North Local Government Area were located before they went off. The incident came a week after Boko Haram members detonated bombs in a mosque and restaurant where over 52 people were killed in the state capital. Nigerian Pilot gathered that yesterday’s explosions occurred at ECWA Church in Tudun Wada, Angwan Yashi, near the Federal Secretariat at about 11am. An eyewitness claimed that “the bang from the explosion was so loud and that it shook the premises and buildings, forcing worshippers to rush out of the auditorium. The source said one of the bombs was hid in the toilet as worshippers gathered in the hall for the Sunday service. The bomb was allegedly picked by a member of the church who threw it out of the area before it exploded. Soon after the first bomb was located, another was found near the main gate of the church. According to sources, a security guard averted what would have claimed several lives as he immediately picked the bomb and flung it out of the premises. He said: “The church was filled with worshippers when the private security guard spotted the bomb at the entrance. The guard picked the bomb and threw it off the church before it exploded instantly. No one was killed from the explosion, but the guard sustained injury on his leg and was rushed to the hospital.” It was also learnt that the police anti-bomb squad on arrival at the church, discovered another explosive device in the church, which was successfully defused. The police said no one was killed from the explosions. The State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Abu Emmanuel, told newsmen that anti-bomb experts had been deployed to the scene. “Experts have been sent there to ascertain the extent of damage,” he said.
