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VOL. 7, NO. 1987 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2011
TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH
N150.00
XMAS DAY BOMBINGS ... THE DAY AFTER
How we were bombed, by church security chief ‘
The policemen tried to stop him but the car refused to stop ... the man wound up the glasses, drove slowly. After about five seconds, he turned the vehicle ... facing the parish and the culvert. As soon as he turned, he accelerated, as if he wanted to fly and ran into them. As soon as he crashed, the bomb exploded.
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Outrage at parish Mass for victims From Yusuf Alli, Abuja
M
EMBERS of the church that lost 25 worshippers on Christmas Day were struggling yesterday to free themselves from the terrible hangover of the horror. St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was the scene of the Sunday bombings by Boko Haram. A church member, apparently still shocked by the horrific scene, yesterday relayed how it all happened. Mr. Francis Raphael said a suicide bomber actually ran into part of the congregation. His account contradicted that of the National Security Adviser, Gen. Azazi Owoye, who said the perpetrators of the explosions threw bombs at the members of the church who were coming out after an early morning mass. Raphael, a member of the church’s Security Committee, said the suicide bomber came in a “clean” Toyota Camry Car. The church allowed Raphael to speak with reporters because he is perhaps the only surviving member of the security team on duty on Sunday. Continued on page 4
INSIDE
•U.S. offers to help •Death toll now 32 •Bombing an invitation to war, says CAN •Sultan blames violence on poor leadership •Fed Govt offers victims’ children free education •SEE PAGES 2,3,4,5&6
•One of the survivors at the National Hospital, Abuja ... yesterday
PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE
I’m hopeful, says girl who lost parents, sisters
STORY ON PAGE 4
•Nancy Maduka
•SPORT P13 •ENERGY P15 •AVIATION P23 •PROPERTY P25 •POLITICS P37