By Taye Obateru & Grateful Dakat

Call it cruel fate or destiny, but it has left an ugly scar in the minds of many and probably a wound that will take time to heal for those close to him. Such is the story of Joseph James Ashaba, father of two children,  until his death last Sunday was a staff of Enterprise Bank in Jos. He was mistaken as one of the suicide bombers that struck at the COCIN Headquarters Compound Church last Sunday and lynched.

The story had it that one of the two suicide bombers in the black Volkswagen car that crashed into the church jumped out before the explosion and was lynched before he could escape. However, facts emerging are that he might have been either hit by the car as it sped towards the church building or jumped out of the way to avoid being hit when he saw the car racing towards him.

The confusion and the angry reaction that followed in what became a mob action did not give him much chance. Even attempts by some church leaders and prominent people to save him for the purpose of interrogation if he was indeed one of the attackers did not work.

People acted on what they thought was the truth and rather than heed the appeals of their leaders, turned on them and injured some in the process. Alas, it was their fellow church member they killed in error.

The twist to the story emerged on Monday after family members and friends who had been looking for him since the blast found his corpse at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.  Joseph was said to have gone to church in company of his wife and children but was mistaken as one of the bombers when the blast threw him on the ground some distance away from the exploded car.

The wife and children with whom he had gone to church did not find him after the service hence they commenced a search to hospitals the following day when he was still not seen at home.

His cousin, Julius Auta told journalists on Monday that they were shocked when on discovering his corpse in hospital were told that he was one of the alleged suicide members. “It was a clear case of mistaken identity. My brother cannot be a bomber.

He was a member of the church who had gone there to worship. We had been searching for him following reports that he was not found. But when we identified the body, we were told that he was the suspected accomplice who was lynched. It is very unfortunate.”

One of the cars affected by the blast

Colleagues of the late Joseph at the Enterprise Bank who were equally shocked by the situation attested to his good nature saying he did not deserve the cruel fate that befell him. One of them, Nasiru Bala, described him as a nice person who cannot be associated with such an action. According to him, “he is a gentleman who doesn’t talk much. I can vouch for him that he cannot be associated with something like that.”

Some church members who were at the church during the bombing expressed regret at the turn of events blaming it on the confusion that followed the blast.

A member of the church security unit who preferred anonymity told Saturday Vanguard that they had no inkling that he was a church member because the dust that enveloped the environment after the blast had “disfigured” most people beyond recognition.

According to him, because he was seen flung from the car, people thought he must have jumped out and mistook him for one of the attackers. “We would not have known that he was a church member because nobody identified him”, he said.

Another member of the church who gave his name simply as Iliya also described the situation as unfortunate and a pointer to how mob action could result in unfortunate ends.

“Had the people listened to those pleading that he should be spared so that information can be obtained from him, the truth would have come out and we would have been saved this case of mistaken identity. Because the belief then was that he was one of the attackers, the angry mob was not ready to listen to any appeal. It is sad that it turned out he was one of us”, he said.

Some of the church leaders approached by Saturday Vanguard preferred not to speak on the development until the security agencies currently investigating the attack had concluded their work. As one of them said, “I think we had said enough for now, but it will not be wise to say anything on that issue (mistaken identity) until the security people have concluded their investigations. We have been so advised.”

Similar efforts to talk to the widow of the late banker failed as a relation who initially promised to arrange an interview later said they were advised against her talking to the press for now.

However, residents who spoke on the matter described the situation as unfortunate, but said it should be properly investigated to ascertain the truth. Johnson Agwu, a teacher told Saturday Vanguard  it would be sad if the man was indeed a church member. “I am confused over the matter.

Initially, we were told that he was one of the bombers, but we are being told again that he was actually a church member who was mistaken for a bomber. I think the matter should be thoroughly investigated and if he is found to have been a church member, his family should be compensated.”

His sentiment was shared by a housewife, Mrs. Mary John who described the mistake as avoidable if the mob had heeded appeals to spare him for questioning. In an emotion-laden voice, she lamented the situation thus: “Kai! You mean the man was not one of the bombers? What will happen to the poor woman (wife) and the children now? That is why those people (the mob) should have listened when they were told to spare him. I feel for the family.”

As rumour of threats of more attacks by the Boko Haram went round among residents during the week, many expressed hope that necessary security measures would be taken to frustrate any such plans. Despite assurances from government and security officials that efforts would be made to arrest the situation, residents said they are afraid because similar promises in the past have not changed anything. “We are in the hands of God”, one of them said.