No fewer than 11 people died and 13 others injured when two bombs exploded at the mammy market beside the Mogadishu Military Barracks along Nyanya Road, Abuja on Friday night.
The first bomb blast occurred around 7.30 pm in the centre of the market close to a DJ shop. The second one, which affected only structures, went off about two hours later close to the scene of the first incident.
A drinking shop operator, Railah Istifanus, told SATURDAY PUNCH that she was at a tailor’s shop in the market when she heard the blasts, which exploded behind the DJ’s shop.
“I was at the tailor’s arguing with her for not finishing my dress when I heard a loud blast near the DJ’s shop. The shop collapsed immediately and I took to my heels. I believe a number of people must have died because the area was crowded as there were people drinking near the fish shop where the bomb exploded,” she explained.
A young Hausa boy, who worked as a toilet cleaner in the market, said that no fewer than five persons died in the incident, adding that the blast shook the market and destroyed many shops.
The Federal Capital Territory Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Rabo Saidu, who was at the scene, said he was informed that the explosion occurred around 7.30 pm, adding that it was too early to confirm the number of casualties.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Oluseyi Pentirin, who visited the scene, condemned the incident, which he described as a terrorist attack. He pledged that a thorough investigation would be conducted to fish out the perpetrators.
He said, “It is unfortunate that some people would plant a bomb where people are relaxing for the New Year; we have to be vigilant. Don’t allow people to keep luggage near you. It’s a new crime, but it will be resolved by law enforcement agents; we will get to the root of the matter.”
The Police Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sola Amore, confirmed that two males and one female died, while 13 others were injured. But our correspondent saw about seven dead bodies being evacuated from the crime scene.
He stated that investigations had commenced and assured Nigerians of safety in the New Year.
The scene of the incident was cordoned off by military personnel and men of Federal Road Safety Commission, who had a tough time chasing onlookers away from the market gate.
Some of the churches in Abuja called of their crossover services after learning about the blast.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said that he was at the Abuja Airport and was rushing down to Mogadishu Cantonment, where the bomb blast took place. Olukolade confirmed the incident, but did not give the exact number of people who were killed.
He said that the explosion occurred at the Mammy Market about 100m from the gate of the barracks at a spot where people were buying and selling roasted fish.
When pressed for further information, he said that he met four of the victims on the ground, stressing that it was possible other victims might have been taken away by those involved in the rescue operations.
He said that security operatives had evacuated the victims and had commenced investigations into the blast.
“I’m at the scene of the bomb blast. It did not occur inside the barracks; it occurred at the mammy market, where people were buying and selling fish. The mammy market, where the blast occurred is open to the public. But the situation is under control. It is being investigated.”
But a source who participated in the rescue operation told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity that the death toll could not be less than 20.
The source said that apart from 11 victims earlier confirmed dead, several people had both legs gummed to each other as a result of the explosion and were just breathing.
He said that the impact of the first explosion was so strong that it shook the buildings situated far inside the barracks.
President Goodluck Jonathan described the bombings as evil, saying all the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, the President charged the nation’s security services “to rise to the occasion and arrest this dangerous challenge to our peace and stability.”
Jonathan said, “Tonight, evil people determined to turn the joys of fellow Nigerians to ashes detonated a bomb at a barracks market in the Federal Capital City. Basking in their nefarious success in Jos on Christmas Eve, they have once again knifed at the heart of a nation decked out in gaiety, celebrating New Year’s Eve.
“This is extreme evil. It is wicked. It defies all that we believe in, and stand for as a nation. There shall be no sacred cows. All, no matter how remotely connected to these incidents, must be brought to justice. They must be made to pay. No one, and we repeat, no one, can make this nation ungovernable.”
Source:http://www.punchng.com/
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