As rescue workers continue to search and evacuate victims of the bomb blast that rocked the COCIN headquarters Church in Jos on Sunday, victims have continued to give account of what they witnessed.
“I only saw fire coming toward me,’’ Mr Denis Choji, who was rushed to Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on his hospital bed.
?“In my confusion, I started running. I didn’t even know the time I jumped the huge fence of the Church and scurried away.’’
NAN reports that Choji’s face, hands and laps were terribly burnt, and doctors were struggling to treat the first-degree burns on his body.
?“I thank God that I survived that terrible bomb blast. I give God the glory.’’
Another eyewitness, Mr? Appolos Damburam, 58, whose ears were affected,? said he saw the Jeep used by the suicide bombers approach the church.
?“But before I could open my mouth to ask why the car was coming too close to the church, the blast occurred.
?“I discovered later that I am still alive and touched the man beside me just to be sure he too is alive.
?“ I have never seen anything like this before. A blast in our Church? I cannot believe such wickedness,’’ lamented Damburam, who looked tired, weak and was covered with dust.
Mrs Helen Nerle, a worshipper, said that the new pastor of the Church, Rev. Stephen Vongdip, told the congregation on arrival in January that he had a dream of a bomb attack on the Church.
?“The dream was in November when he was still in Lagos. On arrival here in January, he told us of the dream, and assured us of God’s mercy.
?“He told us to pray and not be afraid. That dream came to true today.
?“We give God the glory for protecting his own and ensuring that the casualty figure is minimal.’’ (NAN)