Goodluck Jonathan has said
that the perpetrators of the
bomb explosions in Abuja
earlier today will surely be
found and dealt with. The
incident has so far claimed
about eight lives in the
Federal Capital Territory,
according to police reports.
"To those behind these
vicious acts, the president
wants you to know that you
will be found, and you will
pay dearly for this heinous
crime," a statement from the
office of the president read.
The presidential spokesman,
Ima Niboro, described the
bomb explosion which
occurred near the Ministry of
Justice in Abuja as ‘a low,
dirty and wicked act of
desperation by criminals and
murderers, who do not wish
Nigeria well.
"Coming at a time that the
world had gathered together
to celebrate Nigeria at 50,
these bomb attacks are the
worst anniversary gifts any
nation can get," the
statement said. "Their
purpose was to ensure that
the celebration at Eagle
Square was cancelled by all
means. It is sad and
unfortunate.
"President Goodluck
Jonathan grieves with the
families that have lost loved
ones in the incidents. The
president shares their
consternation and
understands their
confoundment, as they mourn
while the nation celebrates.
"The president wants these
families to know that their
loved ones have not died in
vain. Rather, they have paid
the supreme price for our
unity; and in their death,
they have watered the tree
of our freedom."
According to a Federal Road
Safety marshal who spoke
with DURUEKE 4ALL, there were two
explosions, probable timed to
follow each other.
The official, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, said
the first explosion came from
a commercial bus parked
along Shehu Shagari Way,
near Bayelsa House. This
explosion drew a crowd
towards the scene when a
more powerful explosion
went off, this time, from a
smaller car. As a result of the
two explosions, other cars
parked around the area
immediately caught fire. The
marshal said the fire
affected between 10 and 20
cars.
He added that he counted at
least 15 people hauled into
the Civil Defence trucks that
were first on the scene, but
could not confirm their
status.
He,however said the victims
were security guards,
policemen and some children
selling sachet water on the
street. An SSS official was
also mentioned as one of the
victims, as well as a family
of four in one of the cars.
Victims were first rushed to
the State House clinic, but
when facilities became
strained, were moved to
other locations.
The situation is now under
control, as the fire service
has put out the various fires.
People have resumed normal
activities but the area is still
cordoned off.
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