April 2012 Kaduna bombings

Overview

On 8 April 2012 (Easter Day), a suicide car bombing occurred in Kaduna, the capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria, targeting Christians attending Easter church services. At least 38 people were reported dead in the attack.

The Attack

The explosion struck a major road in Kaduna where informal restaurants operate and black market gasoline is sold. The blast left charred motorcycles and debris strewn across the road and engulfed a group of motorcycle taxi-men. Nearby hotels and homes had their windows blown out and roofs torn away by the force of the explosion.

The explosive-laden vehicle reportedly attempted to drive into the compound shared by the All Nations Christian Assemblies International Church and the ECWA Good News Church while congregants were worshiping during an Easter service. The vehicle was blocked by street barriers and turned away by a security guard as police approached before it detonated, damaging both churches.

Pastor Joshua Raji, describing the moment of the blast, said: "We were in the holy communion service and I was exhorting my people and all of a sudden, we heard a loud noise that shattered all our windows and doors, destroyed our fans and some of our equipment in the church."

Responsibility

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. Suspicion fell on Boko Haram, a radical Islamist sect that had been blamed for hundreds of killings in Nigeria in 2012. Kaduna lies on the dividing line between Nigeria's predominantly Christian south and Muslim north, and observers at the time expressed concern that the attack could further inflame regional tensions.