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.
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.