22 KILLED IN ABUJA, ADAMAWA BOMB BLASTS

EXPLOSION rocked Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday, when a car loaded with bomb device exploded at a popular shopping mall close to Barnex Junction, Wuse Central District, leaving 21 people dead. 

This came as another bomb blast that occurred in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State reportedly left one person dead.

The Abuja incident, which happened at about 3.50 p.m, also left 17 others injured, with 17 cars burnt.

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One of the victims of the Abuja bomb blast is the Managing Editor, Northern Operation, New Telegraph, Mr Suleiman Bisala.

Speaking with newsmen at the scene of the incident, Force spokesperson, Frank Mba, confirmed the arrest of a suspect by security operatives, a few minutes after the incident.

 

“So far, the casualty figure is 21 with 17 injured. If there is any change later on, we will inform you. There were also 17 vehicles that were burnt in the incident. It is heart-warming, however, that an arrest has been made and security agencies will be following up with the arrest,” he said.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who visited the scene, condemned the incident, stating that the highest number of casualties were those selling at the front of the mall.

He assured that he would visit the hospital where victims were taken to ascertain their situation.

“We wish to express on behalf of the FCT, our grief and condolences to the families and people of affected Nigerians.,” he said.

In Adamawa, eyewitnesses told the Nigerian Tribune that the explosion occurred when a gas cylinder fell out of a moving vehicle belonging to a new generation bank, however, the police said it was a bomb planted by the side of the road that detonated.

The state Police Public Relations Officer  (PPRO), Abubakar Othman, said a bomb planted by the side of the road detonated, adding that the incident did not claim any casualty.

The development led to pandemonium in the town, as traders and passers-by  scampered for safety, leading to a temporary closure of the market.

“Soldiers were immediately alerted and mobilised to the scene. They cordoned off the area and started demobilising the bomb,” a source said.

The source added that a victim of the blast died of cardiac attack while on admission at Mubi General Hospital.

Conflicting accounts on how Abuja attack occurred

There were conflicting accounts of how the Emab Plaza bomb attack occurred.

Eyewitnesses, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, gave two different accounts.

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune at the scene that the bomber, who was on a motorcycle, threw the explosive and sped off.

Another eyewitness said the explosive was hidden in a taxi.he source hinged the account on the fact that there was an illegal mini park used by taxi operators to take passengers to Wuse Market at the point where the blast occurred.

NIC confirms attack, says soldiers kill 1 suspect, arrest another.  The coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, on Wednesday, said soldiers killed one of the suspected bombers of EMAB Plaza in Abuja and arrested another.

Omeri told newsmen in Abuja that the attackers came on a power bike and planted an improvised explosive device by the entrance of the shopping mall.

He also confirmed the death of 21 persons, with 17 others injured in the blast, which also damaged several vehicles.

Tribune