Pandemonium struck this morning in the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja when an explosion rocked an outskirt of the city and
according to reports, scores of people were killed while no fewer than
50 other people injured in the incident.
It is not clear yet how the bomb was ferried into the park, but witnesses suspect it was planted by a suicide bomber.
* Fire fighters at the scene of the explosion in Abuja
It was gathered that several dead bodies now litter the blood spattered park and the expressway leading to the city.
Some
of the dead victims and the injured are being taken to the hospital by
ambulances and vans belonging to the Nigerian Police, the Vehicle
Inspection Office, Federal Road Safety Commission.
* Abuja residents and passengers seen gathering at the scene of the explosion that rocked the capital city this morning
Newsmen at the scene of the tragic incident reported that they counted more than 50 bodies that are yet to be evacuated.
* Picture from the scene of the blast
Several vehicles including about 12 government owned high capacity buses were destroyed in the attack.
Reports say some of the buses were loaded with passengers when the explosion occurred.
According
to the spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency, Manzo
Ezekiel, the incident happened during Monday's rush hour at the park.
“This morning there was an explosion at the Nyanya Motor Park,” Ezekiel said.
“Rescue
teams are already on ground. There were so many people there at that
time, so we think there must have been some injuries,” he added.
Some
of the dead victims and injured were seen taken to hospital by
ambulances and vans belonging to the police, the VIO, FRSC, NSCDC and
NEMA.
Other witnesses said more than 150 bodies may have been moved before newsmen's arrival.
Some of the bodies are mangled beyond recognition.
Millions of Nigerians have gone on social media to comment on the tragic incident.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on his twitter handle tweeted:
Atiku Abubakar @atiku "I am angered and saddened by the news of multiple explosions that occurred in Nyanya bus park in Abuja this morning."
Also, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President
Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati tweeted this:
"President Jonathan directs the medical services to do their very best to save the lives of those injured in Nyanya bombing."
Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, aslo went on twitter to condemn the tragic incident.
He tweeted:
"Not
again! Another bomb blast, another bloody day in Abuja. Horrifying! My
thoughts and prayers are with the victims & their families."
Meanwhile, NEMA has warned citizens living around where the blast took place to steer clear the scene of the explosion.
"The
explosion occurred at 6.30am local time," the Senior Information
Officer, NEMA, Mr. Sani Datti said. "The agency has found it necessary
to also warn ordinary citizens to keep off the bomb explosion scene."
According
to Datti, Search and Rescue officers as well as other response agencies
“are now at the scene and have cordoned off the area, adding that
more details would be updated soon.”
It was reported that the
explosion had caused intense apprehension in Nyanya, Mararaba and its
environs as many residents stayed in doors.
“Me and my family are
still in doors and may not go out today because there are frightening
rumours of another possible attack,” Chidi James, a resident who lives
close to the scene of the explosion, said over the phone.
Datti
however assured that NEMA and other government agencies were doing their
best to condone the area in order to douse the already heightened
tension.
“Our men are there and we are doing our best to calm issues. I will update you as we go on,” he said.
Residents have been advised to check for relations at hospitals.
Inspector
General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and Interior Minister, Abba Moro
have been reported to have visited the scene of the blast.
President Goodluck Jonathan has also
visited the scene of the terrorist attack. The area was cordoned off for evidence collection, as well as for passage of the presidential convoy.
As
at the time of filing this report, there was no immediate claim of
responsibility but suspicion is likely to fall on the militant group
Boko Haram.
The Islamists have been waging an increasingly bloody insurgency in the northeast.
The Boko Haram militants killed at least 135 people in attacks on several villages in northeast Nigeria late last week.
Culled From http://news.naij.com
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