Jos (AsiaNews): "Boko Haram terrorists want to
spark a war between Christians and Muslims, but no Nigerian
Muslim wants this," said Mgr Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, bishop of
Jos (central Nigeria). The prelate spoke to AsiaNews after a
suicide bomber blew himself up in a car in front of a
Pentecostal church in Jos yesterday, wounding about 50 people. A
few hours later, a group of extremists fired at a Protestant
church in Biu (northern Nigeria) during Mass, killing one woman.
"There is no war between Christians and Muslims
in Nigeria," the prelate stressed. "Most Muslims are against
Boko Haram terrorists."
After the Jos attack, a group of young Christians
who survived the collapse of the church building attacked some
Muslims who were near the blast site. Seven people died during
the incident.
For Jos
bishop, Boko Haram is a small group of criminal fanatics bent on
wiping Christians and their symbols to replace them with those
of Islam.
Extremists
and their supporters are using religion to impose their Sharia-driven
political and economic agenda. For this reason, they attack
Christian churches and buildings, which represent western
nations for Muslims.
"The government must do all it can to protect Christians and
prevent further attacks, which cause panic and sow death in the
population," the prelate added.
Since 2009, Boko Haram has carried out numerous
attacks against churches, schools, police stations and
government buildings in northern Nigeria, causing more than
1,000 deaths.
