By 
Abiodun OBA
Armed kidnappers have reportedly thrown an explosive into the Catholic Chapel of St. John’s College, Mutum-Biyu, headquarters of Gassol local government area of Taraba State.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the incident.
He said, “What happened was that some kidnappers came to kidnap the owner of one filling station in the town, unfortunately for them, they could not achieve their mission.
“In the process of running to escape being trapped, they started shooting sporadically to escape.
“It was in the process that they threw an explosive into the church to cause fear to enable them to escape. The explosive blew up and caused some damage to the building.”
The Principal of the College, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Vershima Ikyaan, told newsmen that the explosion occurred at about 7:20 pm on Sunday, January 23, 2022.
“We thank God no life was lost, but the Church has been destroyed. About 10 minutes after the explosion in the school, we started hearing gunshots in the town.
“The youths and some students were holding a programme in the Chapel which doubled as the school hall and had left the premises shortly before the explosion.
“This is a religious premises and if attacks like these are happening to the Church, where will people run to?
“I want to call for a thorough investigation to unravel those behind the attack and the perpetrators brought to book”, he said.
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