Detectives look for clues after last Sunday’s bombing of a church in Arusha. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
A survey done by The Citizen yesterday found out that security around the Olasiti Parish was beefed up. Church officials said that children were conspicuously fewer during the two masses and a prayer session devoted to the children.
Arusha/Dar. Few worshipers attended yesterday’s masses at the St Joseph’s Parish Church at Olasiti area where a bomb exploded a week ago, killing three people and injuring at least 60 others.
A survey done by The Citizen yesterday found out that security around the Olasiti Parish was beefed up. Church officials said that children were conspicuously fewer during the two masses and a prayer session devoted to the children.
“The turnout has not been good today, maybe due to fear following last Sunday’s blast,” said the chairman of the parish, Mr Julius Mmbaga.
However, elsewhere in Arusha the attendence level in churches was normal.
According to sources within the Police Force, investigations into the bomb incident had been difficult for the police and the prime suspect is still at large.
Already the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates governments are considering lodging diplomatic protests over the arrest of their citizens “on mere suspicion,” according to reports by The East African, The Citizen’s sister paper.
Relatives of the motorcycle driver, Mr Victor Ambrose (20), who was captured on allegations that he threw the bomb before he disappeared from the scene have disputed police’s account, saying Mr Ambrose was captured while ferrying a passenger in the vicinity of Olasiti Church.
Police also changed their earlier account that the four foreigners had arrived in the country the day of the incident through the Kilimanjaro International Airport. Briefing reporters last Thursday, police said that the foreigners arrived in the country through the Julius Nyerere International Airport some days earlier.
The police last Thursday offered Sh50 million for information that would lead to the capture of the prime suspect.
When contacted for comment yesterday, Arusha regional police commander Liberatus Sabas said he would brief reporters today on the progress of the investigations and the next course of action.
Until yesterday, 24 bomb victims were still admitted in Arusha and Moshi hospitals for injuries sustained, mostly on the legs, according to the doctor-in-charge at the Mt Meru hospital, Josiah Mlay.
A check by The Citizen in Dar es Salaam yesterday revealed that seven other victims, who were transferred to the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) on Wednesday, were responding well to treatment.
One of the victims, Ms Jennifer Joackim, whose daughter, Ms Patricia Joackim, died and was buried on Friday without her knowledge, was also recovering well.
She told this newspaper that she was responding positively to treatment although she still felt some pain in her legs.
‘‘I continue with the treatment and I thank the government and the Muhimbili hospital administration for care and medical assistance they give to us,’’ said Ms Joackim.
Relatives decided to withhold the information, fearing that disclosing it would devastate the woman who is still receiving treatment at the hospital.
For his part, a nine-year old Gabriel Godfrey, who is among the victims, said that he felt fine and that he was able to walk and even play.
“My condition is good... unlike the time they brought me here,” he said.
Victims who were referred to Muhimbili for specilised treatment are: Atanasia Reginald, (14), Faustine Shirima, (34), Gabriel Godfrey, (9), Lucky Vicent, Albert Njau, (35 ), Jenipher Joackim, Apolinari Malamsha, and Fatuma Tarimo.
