Jos (AsiaNews) - "Boko Haram terrorists want to spark a war between Christians and Muslims, but no Nigerian Muslim wants this," said Mgr Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, bishop of Jos (central Nigeria). The prelate spoke to AsiaNews after a suicide bomber blew himself up in a car in front of a Pentecostal church in Jos yesterday, wounding about 50 people. A few hours later, a group of extremists fired at a Protestant church in Biu (northern Nigeria) during Mass, killing one woman.

"There is no war between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria," the prelate stressed. "Most Muslims are against Boko Haram terrorists."

After the Jos attack, a group of young Christians who survived the collapse of the church building attacked some Muslims who were near the blast site. Seven people died during the incident.

For Jos bishop, Boko Haram is a small group of criminal fanatics bent on wiping Christians and their symbols to replace them with those of Islam.

Extremists and their supporters are using religion to impose their Sharia-driven political and economic agenda. For this reason, they attack Christian churches and buildings, which represent western nations for Muslims.

"The government must do all it can to protect Christians and prevent further attacks, which cause panic and sow death in the population," the prelate added.

Since 2009, Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks against churches, schools, police stations and government buildings in northern Nigeria, causing more than 1,000 deaths. (S.C.)