'I saw people burning' - Eye witness

Eyewitness of yesterday’s bomb explosion which occurred in Abuja who identified himself as Jason Ikenna Nwamadi and works at Emab Plaza, located at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, where the blast occurred.

Narrate his experience he said: “At about 4pm yesterday, I was in my office which is located at the first floor when I heard the sound of a huge explosion. The effect of the explosion shook the entire building and everybody began to run helter-skelter.

“I ran with others towards the back of the plaza because the explosion occurred in front of the gate. We jumped the fence at the back of the premises with some women who were also running for their dear lives.

“After I jumped the fence, I ran through another path to get to the front of the plaza where the explosion occurred.

The spot where the bomb exploded was like a taxi park. It is usually a very busy place and the blast occurred at the busiest hour of the day.

“I saw people burning. One of those on fire was Christopher by name. He was burning on top of the bonnet of his Toyota Camry Car. He was eventually burnt beyond recognition. He was the driver to my boss Peter Akande. I don’t know where he has been taken to.

Most of those affected were hawkers of banana, groundnut and maize. Women and their children were also among the victims. Drivers of taxi cabs and passengers were also among those killed or injured.

At least 40 people lost their lives in the blast. Human parts littered the scene.

Soldiers kill suspected Abuja bomber, defuse another bomb

A middle aged man suspected to be the arrow-head of yesterday’s bomb blast at Emab Plaza, was killed by soldiers who arrived the scene of the blast about 25 minutes after being alerted of the development.

The timely intervention of the security men who were alerted by some traders that saw the bomber, saved another bomb that would have exploded after the first one at Emab Plaza.

The second bomb, according to eye witnesses, was planted at Banez Plaza, and was to be detonated shortly after the first one.

Besides the second bomb, the suspect, according to the sources, had another Improvised Explosive Device ,IED, inside a blue-coloured bag strapped to his back and was about detonating it through a remote controlled device when he was noticed and shot by the soldiers.

Correspondent reporter, who was at the scene of the blast at the time it happened saw the suspect trying to run to another shopping mall to detonate the IED but was easily noticed by some traders. The traders who realised what he was about doing hit him with stones.

He fell down and stood up after few seconds but quickly brought out a small white device suspected to be remote from his pocket.

When asked by the soldiers to raise up his hands without moving any step, he ignored, a development that made them kill him immediately.

When the bag was searched, it was discovered to contain another bomb but which was immediately defused.