Abuja Bomb Blast: Police Confirmed 21 Dead …Soldiers Kill One Suspect, Arrest other

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The Police have said that no fewer than 21 persons have been confirmed dead and another 17 injured in a bomb explosion that hit EMAB Plaza, in Wuse 2, Abuja, Wednesday.

Even as the Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, said soldiers have killed one of the suspected bombers and arrested another.

The blast occurred at the busy plaza at about 4:15 p.m. local time, at the crowded end of Aminu Kano street scene of the incident.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Mba, said the explosion went off after bombers riding on a motorcycle hauled an explosive device towards the shopping mall. The explosion destroyed 17 cars, Mr. Mba said.

There are fears that the casualty figures may increase as some of the critically injured at the Maitama hospital continue to receive medical attention.

Reports said medical director at Maitama hospital confirmed 35 injured and 12 bodies were received. Many other injured are also receiving treatment in Garki General Hospital.

Omeri, said one suspect has been arrested in connection to the blast. He said security has been intensified around the capital following the attack.

Many of the victims of the blast in the ever busy plaza include, commuters and cab operators as well as petty traders selling assorted fruits at the exit gate of the plaza.

“All the traders selling at the entrance and exit gates were all affected when the blast occurred,” a source told our correspondent.

The electricity transformer by he fence was close the scene of the blast also exploded following  the heavy impact of the bomb blast. The glass doors and windows at the shops, as well as, those of nearby buildings, were shattered by the impact of the blast.

The Wednesday blast is the third in capital territory this year. On the April 14 2014, a mass transit bus station in the Nyanya area of the FCT was attacked leaving over 200 people dead. Also on May 1, another blast occurred close to the scene of the earlier one claiming 20 people.

Islamist terror group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for both attacks.