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Car bomb kills at least a dozen people in the Nigerian capital Abuja Death toll rises from car bomb in Nigerian capital Abuja
(about 9 hours later)
A car bomb exploded on a busy road in Nigeria's capital on Thursday night, killing at least 12 people. The death toll from a car bomb that exploded on a busy road in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, has risen to 19, police have said.
The bomb exploded near a checkpoint across the road from a bus station where a massive explosion on 14 April killed at least 75 people. That blast was claimed by the Islamic extremist Boko Haram terrorist network. The bomb was detonated on Thursday at a congested checkpoint near a bus station where an explosion in April claimed by the Islamic extremists Boko Haram killed at least 75 people.
Thursday's blast comes days before Abuja is to host the World Economic Forum on Africa, with the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, as an honoured guest. The government is deploying 6,000 police to protect the event, which attracts world leaders, policy makers, philanthropists and business leaders to discuss Africa's economic growth prospects. The latest attack comes days before Abuja is to host the World Economic Forum on Africa, with the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, as an honoured guest. The government is deploying 6,000 police to protect the event, which attracts world leaders, policy makers, philanthropists and business leaders to discuss Africa's economic growth prospects.
The civil defense corps spokesman Emmanuel Okeh said that rescuers with ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene of the blast on May Day, a public holiday in the west African nation. Witnesses said a car laden with explosives drove close to the checkpoint and a man jumped out and ran as it blew up. The explosion was followed by several smaller ones as other cars caught fire and ignited.
Twelve people have been killed and 19 wounded are in the hospitals, according to superintendent Frank Mba, the national police spokesman.
Witnesses said a car laden with explosives drove close to the checkpoint and a man jumped out and ran as it blew up. A deafening explosion was followed by smaller ones as other cars caught fire and fuel ignited, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fears for their safety. Mba said six cars were burnt up.
Lines of traffic are normal at the checkpoint where soldiers and police search vehicles since the bombing two weeks ago.Lines of traffic are normal at the checkpoint where soldiers and police search vehicles since the bombing two weeks ago.
Two unexploded IEDs were found at the scene, according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Islamic militants in Nigeria often time secondary explosions to target rescuers and others drawn to a bombing. Police superintendent Frank Mba said on Friday that the death toll had risen to 19 with as many wounded being treated in the hospitals. Six cars were destroyed in the blast, he said.
Two unexploded IEDs were found at the scene, according to a security official. Militants in Nigeria often time secondary explosions to target rescuers and others drawn to a bombing.
While there was no immediate claim for Thursday's bombing, it bears all the hallmarks of Boko Haram. The group wants to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, which it claims would halt crippling corruption that keeps 70% of the people in Africa's richest nation impoverished.While there was no immediate claim for Thursday's bombing, it bears all the hallmarks of Boko Haram. The group wants to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, which it claims would halt crippling corruption that keeps 70% of the people in Africa's richest nation impoverished.
Hours after the 14 April car bombing, which wounded at least 141 people, Boko Haram militants kidnapped more than 250 teenage girls at a school in the remote north east, which is their stronghold. About 50 of the girls escaped their captors, but 200 remain missing in a growing embarrassment for Nigeria's government and military.Hours after the 14 April car bombing, which wounded at least 141 people, Boko Haram militants kidnapped more than 250 teenage girls at a school in the remote north east, which is their stronghold. About 50 of the girls escaped their captors, but 200 remain missing in a growing embarrassment for Nigeria's government and military.
President Goodluck Jonathan told a May Day rally in Abuja earlier on Thursday that the perpetrators must be brought justice. "We shall triumph over all this evil that wants to debase our humanity or obstruct our progress as a nation," he vowed. "Those who want to re-define our country to be seen as a country of chaos will never succeed."President Goodluck Jonathan told a May Day rally in Abuja earlier on Thursday that the perpetrators must be brought justice. "We shall triumph over all this evil that wants to debase our humanity or obstruct our progress as a nation," he vowed. "Those who want to re-define our country to be seen as a country of chaos will never succeed."
Last week, he assured the Chinese ambassador that the hundreds of delegates expected at the World Economic Forum on Africa "will not have a problem with security during the summit".Last week, he assured the Chinese ambassador that the hundreds of delegates expected at the World Economic Forum on Africa "will not have a problem with security during the summit".