Breaking News: Bomb Blast Hits Shopping Plaza In Wuse II Abuja

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

A bomb blast has hit Emaba Plaza, a busy shopping mall in the highbrow area of Nigeria’s capital city, on Aminu kano crescent

Eyewitness at the scene told African Examiner Online that the explosion occurred at about 4pm at the gate of the busy plaza. Many cars are still ablaze.

The latest bomb explosion occurred opposite the Banex mosque, although the mosque and nearby buildings were not affected.

Traders at the plaza said some of those affected were petty traders who always display their stocks at the entrance of the plaza.

An eyewitness said Muslim worshipers were preparing to observe the evening prayer in the mosque closed to the scene when the explosion erupted, adding that the early worshippers were affected.

Apart from the several deaths and injuries, figures yet to be confirmed, over 10 cars and some shops at the gate of the plaza African Examiner learnt were touched.

The Nigeria Police Force Spokesperson Frank Mba, arrived the scene of evening explosion some couple of minutes ago. He confirmed the eruption and was quoted as saying: “Our most important assignment now is to secure lives and the scene.”

Mba disclosed the nature and type of the explosive used, or the casualty figure could not be confirmed yet.

He appealed to Abuja residents to stay away from the explosion area, adding that the police was working with other security and emergency officials at the scene to return normalcy to the affected area. He also promised to address journalists shortly after.

African Examiner source indicated that seven dead bodies, burnt beyond recognition have been deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja mortuary.

Also, the hospital which is located in the Central Business District of FCT, has received six victims with injuries. They are currently in coma, receiving treatment in the Emergency unit of the hospital.

The scene of the explosion has been completely cordoned by the Military, while traffic has been diverted to the alternative routes. Shops in and around the vicinity have also been locked.

At the Maitama General hospital, victims receiving treatment outside the hospital building have been moved into the main building and are now being fully attended to by the health workers.

African Examiner has also been informed by our source at the hospital that a NEMA van believed to be with medical and treatment items has just driven into the hospital premises.

The Nigeria police just confirmed 21 death toll in the EMAB plaza evening eruption. The force revealed another 17 victims sustained various degrees of injuries, while the figure of automobile burnt by the blast has been put at 17.