Black October 1st: Over 7 killed in Abuja bomb blasts - MEND warned of attacks
“People began to run towards the area where the explosion happened to help others who had fallen,” he told Weekly Trust. One person was found dead. And that was when the second explosion happened. Oladele said the second one affected more cars and people because of the rush towards the initial bomb site. “I saw a couple of police officers – one male, one female – get hit by the explosion, slumping dead,” he said, adding that the officers were trying to warn confused civilians away from the area.
At about the same time the president, Goodluck Jonathan, was reviewing the ongoing parade at nearby Eagle Square. Accidental discharge from a rifle borne by a mobile policeman barely 50 metres from the dais where the president stood saw at least two men slump while security quickly formed a ring around the exact spot to mop up the scene. Despite the explosion and firearm mishap, the ceremony continued uninterrupted as members of the armed forces, para-military agencies, schoolchildren, equipment display and 21-gun salutes were witnessed by many visiting heads of state and other foreign dignitaries.
Security personnel at ground zero of the bombing were clueless as to the source of the explosive devices. “Maybe it is Al-Qaeda or something,” muttered a police officer. But earlier that morning, Niger-Delta militant group MEND had sent an e-mail message to media houses warning of its plan to disrupt festivities. Part of the message read: “With due respect to all invited guests, dignitaries and attendees of the 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria being held today, Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square Abuja, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is asking everyone to begin immediate evacuation of the entire area within the next 30 minutes. This warning expires after 1030hrs. Several explosive devices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services. In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.” But so far MEND has not claimed responsibility.
Unaware of the threat, hundreds of Nigerians turned up to witness the celebrations. The explosion went off less than three hours after the presidential broadcast where Jonathan expressed commitment to tackle poor security in the country.
Police Force Public Relations Officer Emmanuel Ojukwu said 7 people died in the blasts. He said explosive devices were installed in two cars near the Izon Warri (Bayelsa State House) along Shehu Shagari Way. “The explosion occurred 3 times and 7 people were killed while 3 others sustained injuries.” But conflicting reports put the dead at 18 and much more wounded.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) did not immediately switch to a live feed of the incident and continued to air the celebrations at Eagle Square, prompting speculation and rumours to fly all over the nation.
After the smoke and confusion had mellowed relatively, confused looking security personnel struggled to cordon parameters around ground zero, which is on Shehu Shagari Way, beside Millennium Park, 300 meters away from Eagle Square. Body-bags containing corpses were conveyed in ambulances, while the immediate area was covered with blood and charred cars. Most of the victims in critical condition were taken to either Maitama General Hospital or a few other unascertained locations.
Inside sources also disclosed that an Assistant Director of the State Security Service (SSS) also died in one of the explosions.
A member of the rescue team, Emmanuel, told Weekly Trust that he was among those that helped to bring the victims to Maitama General Hospital. “At first, we took them to the Wuse General Hospital but they said they were already full. So we had to rush them to Maitama. One of the victims we brought here has lost the entire half of his body, from the waist down. He died on the spot. Another lady is lying down unconscious in the hospital. After the first blast, she ran and left her car with two small children inside. The second blast erupted and caught her car with her kids. She fainted immediately and we brought her here.”
Gabriel, a victim who got serious injuries on his arms and chest, said: “When I left home this morning to go to Eagle Square my wife was very angry because I left without her and the children. She had wanted me to take her to the square along with our children. But I felt there was no need for me to take them along. I was just approaching the venue of the event when I was caught in the blast. I was screaming and calling for help as the whole of my body was burning. I was lucky to be assisted by some good Samaritans who came to my rescue. All this while I was dazed and was not aware of what was happening until I was brought to the hospital. My family is still at home, thinking I’m at the Eagle Square enjoying the celebration.”
Chukwudi, one of the dead, gave up the ghost upon reaching the hospital. His brother, who was also affected from the blast, was limping. He was still in shock and was not able to say anything when Weekly Trust approached him. His sister, who rushed down to the hospital to see them, sat on the hospital lawn with her legs stretched in front of her, wailing and praying at the same time. “God, this one must not die,” she kept repeating.
A statement by presidential spokesman Ima Niboro commiserated with families that lost loved ones. It described the attack as a wicked act by criminals and murderers who do not wish Nigeria well. “At the time when the world gathered together to celebrate Nigeria at 50, these bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gifts any nation can get.”
Earlier, President Jonathan had said in his first-ever Independence Day address that Nigerians are not sworn enemies. “We are not irreconcilable foes. We are neighbours who sometimes offend each other but can always sit down to talk over our differences. We are one people and one family. There are clear examples across the country where, in one family, you have people of different faiths and convictions living peacefully under the same roof,” said Jonathan. But one Hameed Shekoni, who said he lost a brother in the bombing, said MEND has finally crossed the line. “[MEND] has proven that they are a bona fide terrorist group. The whole ‘militant’ tag is nothing but fancy wording. This is a crime against the state of Nigeria and its people. Innocent people, at that.
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