21 Feared Dead In Abuja Bomb Blast
Suspected members of the Islamist militant sect, Boko Haram yesterday detonated a bomb at EMAB Plaza one of the busiest shopping complexes in Abuja. The explosion is the third in the Federal Capital Territory in the last two months.
On April 14, 2014, a bomb blast at Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja, killed 71 and injured 124 people, while another blast also in Nyanya killed 19 people and injured 60 on May 1, 2014.
Yesterday’s bomb went off around 4.10pm in front of the mall adjacent to a very busy mosque where many Muslims had gone to observe the 4pm prayers.
Although eyewitnesses put the casualty figures at 30, the Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mbah, told journalists at the scene that 21 people died and 17 were injured.
Mba’s figures were however contradicted by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Bala Mohammed, who said that 12 people were killed while 35 were injured.
Mba had also said that the explosion destroyed 17 vehicles outside and within the complex. Managing Editor, Northern Operations of the New Telegraph, Suleiman Bisalla is one of the dead. Eight others believed to be drivers were burnt in their vehicles.
Mbah said,
We just want to confirm the fact that there was a blast at the Emab Plaza, Wuse , Abuja, this afternoon. As soon as the incident occurred, security agents moved into the scene, we cordoned it off and initiated actions targeted at saving lives. The casualty figure for now is 21 dead, 17 injured and 17 vehicles burnt. If there are any changes later on we will inform you. It is also heart-warming to note that an arrest has been made and security agencies would follow up on that arrest. The building is still an active crime scene and it has been cordoned off. Investigation has commenced. The police bomb disposal squad working in conjunction with other security agencies has already commenced investigation. We have equally taken measures to secure the critical infrastructure and all the goods here, and we are assuring the traders and members of the public that we will put adequate security in place to ensure that there is no pilfering. We will intensify surveillance and monitoring of plazas, shopping malls and all the open markets. We had previously commenced this action, and we are not doing that because this explosion has taken place today. We have already begun to fortify all the soft targets within the FCT, and we will continue to do everything humanly possible to secure all our businesses and facilities within the FCT.’
An eyewitness, who had blood stain on his blue shirt, told Punch that the intensity of the blast was such that many of those killed had their bodies completely dismembered.
Two suspects killed and one arrested. Soldiers killed one of the suspects and arrested another when they were escaping from the scene on a power bike. Another suspect, who was gathering human parts at the scene , was also killed.
The arrested suspect was taken to the Guards Brigade Hospital at Asokoro, Abuja for treatment.
The blast according to the witnesses was so strong that it destroyed structures and windows of building directly opposite the mall. The explosive also dug a big crater in front of the complex which also serves as the car park for visitors to the popular shopping complex.
Images: Sahara Repoters