Zaria bomb blast victims buried

Three remaining casualties of the June 17 explosions that rocked two churches in Zaria, Kaduna State, were laid to rest on Thursday in Zaria after a requiem mass at St. Enda’s Parish, Basawa, Zaria, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Addressing journalists after the interment, the Catholic Bishop of Zaria, the Most Rev. George Dodo, said 16 people lost their lives in the incidents.

He said six persons were members of the Christ the King Church, Zaria, adding that three others had earlier been buried.

The bishop said 10 Muslims, who lived or worked opposite the church, were also killed. This figure did not include the suicide bombers, he said.

“Many of our parishioners sustained injuries from the shattered glasses, falling ceiling and the stampede as people tried to look for escape route,” the bishop said, adding that three had earlier been buried.

Dodo appealed to northern elders, religious leaders, politicians and traditional rulers to check the rising violent activities of the Boko Haram sect and the reprisals.

“We should realise that the economy of the North and education of our children are being brought backward because of attacks.”