One dies in explosion near Abuja barracks

One person died yesterday in an explosion at a bus stop in front of the Mogadishu Cantonment also known as Abacha Barracks located along the Abuja-Nyanya Road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Statements from the military and the police did not confirm any death, but videos from the scene showed a dead man, who appeared to have been shattered, being lifted into a security vehicle.

The incident, which happened at about 2:35pm, caused panic among residents and road users.

SPONSOR AD

The place where the explosion happened has residential houses of highly-placed Nigerians at the back and the military barracks in front.

The location is also close to two military checkpoints near the barracks. One of the checkpoints is situated on the bridge that connects the military barracks with the Asokoro Hill, one of the highbrow areas in the nation’s capital.

The second checkpoint is situated in front of the Cantonment’s gate where military police officers on duty conduct checks on vehicles and pedestrians.

The Nigerian Air Force Valley Estate and the Navy Town were also located beside the Mogadishu Cantonment.

In front of the second checkpoint, a tricycle park is situated for easy commuting by residents of the cantonment.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Appolonia Anele, a Lieutenant Colonel, did not answer several calls made to her mobile telephone line seeking an official reaction.

But the army, on its official X handle later yesterday, confirmed the incident, saying “Explosion at bus stop opposite Mogadishu Cantonment Abuja. Situation under control. Details later.”

The FCT police command also confirmed the explosion, saying a male adult sustained injuries and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

The spokesperson of the command, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said upon receiving the report of the explosion, officers of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the command were immediately deployed to the scene.

Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, added that the affected area was swiftly cordoned off for clearance and analysis to ensure the safety of commuters and residents.

According to her, a comprehensive investigation has commenced, including detailed forensic analysis to ascertain the exact cause and nature of the explosion.

She urged members of the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear.

A source told Daily Trust that the man seen in the video had earlier attempted to gain access to the cantonment since Sunday afternoon.

Speaking to our correspondent, an eyewitness, who did not want to be named, stated that an unidentified individual alighted from a Golf car under the pedestrian bridge near the entrance of the cantonment.

“This is an area where passengers commonly disembark before proceeding on foot or by tricycle (Keke NAPEP) into the facility.

“When his movement became suspicious, he was stopped by the MP personnel on duty. He was asked to shift back for proper identification, and only for him to move a few meters away and the IED he was carrying exploded, killing him and injuring two others,” he said.

The source added that the injured victims were receiving treatment in the Defence Military Hospital within the cantonment.

Security beefed up at military barracks in FCT

Daily Trust learnt that following the incident, security was beefed up at all the military barracks in the nation’s capital yesterday.

A senior police officer said security and intelligence operatives had been ordered to “step up their games particularly on the military barracks and other barracks in the nation’s capital.

“The incident has called the attention of top hierarchy in the government and the security sector. What happened today has negative impact on many things, so we have been directed to up our games,” the officer said.

Attack shows we’re going backward – Expert

An intelligence expert, Abdullahi Garba, in a chat with Daily Trust, said: “Being proactive is better than being reactive. What has been happening for a few months in this country shows that we are going backward in terms of security, while we are supposed to be moving forward.

“I don’t think we should be talking about this if we are proactive. I will urge those concerned to do the needful. Thank God nothing untoward happened to the cantonment,” he said.

Past bombings in Abuja

There had been several incidents of bombings in Abuja and its environs since 2010.

Specifically, the first incident occurred on October 1, 2010 during Nigeria’s 50th Independence Day celebrations when two vehicle bombs exploded near the Eagle Square in Abuja.

The incidents, which recorded 12 deaths and 17 injuries, was reported to have been carried out by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Members of MEND later claimed responsibility for the attack. Their mission for carrying out the attack at that time was not revealed.

In the same vein, there was another one on June 16, 2011 when a suicide bomber targeted the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, killing two people, including the bomber and a traffic officer.

Boko Haram terrorists later claimed responsibility for the bombing.

On August 26, 2011, a suicide bomber struck at the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja, leaving 21 people dead and many others injured.

Similarly, no fewer than 35 persons were reportedly killed and many others in the Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa’s Church at Madalla, which is in Niger State – just about 10  kilometres to the nation’s capital.

The incident happened during a church service. The Boko Haram sect also claimed to have carried out the attack.

In the early hours of April 14, 2014, two bombs exploded at a crowded bus station at Nyanya in Abuja, leaving 88 persons dead and about 200 others injured.

On January 6, 2025, an explosion occurred at the Tsangayar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School located in Kuchibiyi community,Byazhin, Bwari Area Council Abuja killing two.