From Victor Osula, Abuja
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that the suspected suicide bomber behind Monday’s explosion along the Mararaba-Nyanya expressway in Abuja was attempting to infiltrate the Mogadishu Army Cantonment in Asokoro before the device detonated.
One person sustained injuries in the blast, which occurred at a bus stop opposite the military facility.
The spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident on Monday, noting that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
In a follow-up statement on Tuesday, NEMA disclosed that the bomber, who was strapped with an IED, died instantly as the device exploded while he was attempting to gain access into the barracks.
The statement read: “The agency received an alert at about 1:47 pm on Monday and promptly dispatched a response team to the scene.
“Upon arrival, the team met security personnel securing the already cordoned-off area.”
“Information gathered revealed that a suicide bomber attempted to sneak into the barracks but met his end as the IED exploded on him while trying to negotiate entry.”
According to the agency, one passerby was injured in the blast and was immediately evacuated to the National Hospital in Abuja by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which also secured the area for further investigation.
The operation was concluded at approximately 5:29 pm.
Other agencies present at the scene included the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and officials of NEMA.
