Dec 25th 2011, only one year later , yet another attack on Christians by Boko Haram shook the nation. There were two explosions of churches, one in Abuja, and another Christmas day casualty for Jos. The first church St. Theresa, a catholic church in Madalla, Abuja. The second explosion, seconds later, was in close proximity to Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Jos, which almost immediately led to a shootout. Boko Haram took full responsibility of both these attacks. There were other planned attacks, however officials reached bomb sites on time to dismantle the explosives. This holy holiday was disrupted by tragedy and death. It led to gruesome reprisal attacks all over the country, especially in the North and middle-belt region, Jos. Thousands of Muslims fled the South in fear of reprisal attacks. Christians of non-indigenous tribes of the North did likewise to seek refuge in their respective native lands. Jobs and schools were abandoned as tension grew and people migrated to avoid violence. There was transportation provided for Northerners to flee as the counter-terrorist group leader Ogbunigwe Ndigbo warned "that all Northern Muslims in the South East should quit within two weeks
as their safety would not be guaranteed after the period, Hausa and
Fulani Muslims residing in the South East with members of their families."(Edike Jan 9,2012)
The Boko Haram spokesperson Abul Qaqa insisted that Muslims flee the South “we also wish to call on our fellow Muslims to come back to the north because we have evidence that they would be attacked" and administered a 3-day ultimatum to the Christians occupying Northern Nigeria, “We are also giving a three-day ultimatum to the southerners living in the northern part of Nigeria to move away.”("Boko Haram issues three-day ultimatum to christians" January 2, 2012)
The Boko Haram spokesperson Abul Qaqa insisted that Muslims flee the South “we also wish to call on our fellow Muslims to come back to the north because we have evidence that they would be attacked" and administered a 3-day ultimatum to the Christians occupying Northern Nigeria, “We are also giving a three-day ultimatum to the southerners living in the northern part of Nigeria to move away.”("Boko Haram issues three-day ultimatum to christians" January 2, 2012)
After these attacks the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged all Muslims to wage the radical Islamic sect to stop these meaningless killings of innocent Christians, or the Christians will be forced to defend themselves and their children. This illustrates the increasing ethno-religious conflicts caused by Boko Haram. However these outcomes were the motivation for Boko Haram. They wished to provoke violence and to produce instability in the nation and so they did.
Edike,
Toni. Vanguard, "Insecurity: Northerners flee S-East." Last modified
Jan 9,2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/insecurity-northerners-flee-s-east/.
IRNG,
"Xmas Day Bombings: Christian Association Of Nigeria Threatens Reprisal
Attacks On Muslims…As ACF Condemns Boko Haram Killings." Last modified
Dec 26, 2011. Accessed April 22, 2012.
http://ireports-ng.com/2011/12/26/xmas-day-bombings-christian-association-of-nigeria-threatens-reprisal-attacks-on-muslims-as-acf-condemns-boko-haram-killings/.
BBC,
"Nigeria churches hit by blasts during Christmas prayers." Last
modified Dec 21, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16328940.
Vanguard,
"Boko Haram issues three-day ultimatum to christians." Last modified
January 2, 2012. Accessed April 25, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/boko-haram-spokesman-threatens-christians-troops/.
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