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Suspected Islamists Gun Down Worshipers In Biu

Suspected Islamist militants this morning in Biu, Borno State, opened fire on harmless Christian worshippers at the EYN Church during a Sunday church service, killing several people in a premeditated attack.

Suspected Islamist militants this morning in Biu, Borno State, opened fire on harmless Christian worshippers at the EYN Church during a Sunday church service, killing several people in a premeditated attack.

Immediately the attackers opened fire, the worshippers, who included women and children, begged and cried for help, to no avail. One of the church officials died on the spot.

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 There is still no official tally of the numbers of worshippers killed or of those injured. A security source told SaharaReporters that before Joint Task Force (JTF) could reach the church, the gunmen had fled.

Yesterday, the fragile security situation had compelled the state government to postpone the scheduled local government elections. Alhaji Baba Jidda, who is the Secretary to the Government of Borno State, told newsmen that the Borno State government plans to conduct the polls as soon as the security situation in the State improves.

"Government is not interested in delaying the polls because we do not have anything to hide, it is just that the security situation has not improved. The appointment of the caretaker committee is in line with the Local Government Council (LGC) Act 2000 of the state. So long as the security situation remains, the caretaker committees will remain. We are not afraid of losing the elections in any way, we are just waiting for conducive atmosphere to conduct the polls.”

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 The militant Islamic sect Boko Haram recently issued a statement vowing to institute Sharia rule in Borno state.

Also this morning, a suicide bomber attacked a church in Jos, Plateau State, leaving four worshippers dead.

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