Third Explosion Ripped Through Abuja

A third deadly explosion in the Federal capital territory, Abuja in two months, yesterday, exploded at a shopping mall, EMAB Plaza, adjacent BANEX Plaza, Aminu Kano Crescent,
Wuse II, at 3. 50 pm. It killed no fewer than 21 persons and injured 17 others. The extremist Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility for the two explosions in April and May in Nyanya, a suburb of the capital.Yesterday’s blast occurred at the gate of the shopping mall.The quick intervention of soldiers saved the city from more blasts as they gunned down a suspect that was carrying another explosives-laden bag on a power bike. It was later defused by the police anti-bomb squad.

Eye witnesses said that the bomb was placed in front of a taxi at a point where taxis drop passengers going into the plaza. Those affected mostly were, therefore, taxi drivers, fruit sellers and passers-by. 17 vehicles were also burnt.

The soldiers who were said to have rushed to the blast site, also arrested two suspects who were being held in a military facility.

George Adigwe, who participated in the evacuation of victims confirmed that 18 dead bodies were moved into the ambulances of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for transportation to various morgues in Abuja metropolis.

Security sources at the scene said that it was likely that the dead suspect could have been heading for another target before he was shot by the soldiers.

Security and rescue officers who rushed to the scene of the blast cordoned off all entrances into the blast area.

The injured were taken mainly to Maitama General Hospital, which was the closest to the scene of the blast, as well as, Wuse General Hospital.

The bodies of those killed in the blast were taken to Maitama, Wuse and National Hospitals’ morgues.