The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the explosion that rocked Abuja on Monday afternoon was caused by a suicide bombing attempt.
According to NEMA, the incident occurred when an individual wearing an improvised explosive device (IED) attempted to infiltrate the Mogadishu Army Cantonment along the Mararaba-Nyanya expressway.
The device detonated during the attempt, killing the bomber on the spot and injuring one passerby.
Authorities were alerted to the blast at approximately 1:47 pm on Monday, and NEMA promptly activated a response team.
The injured civilian was immediately evacuated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigeria Police Force to the National Hospital, while forensic experts began an investigation into the incident. The operation was officially concluded at 5:29 pm.
The coordinated response involved several security and emergency agencies, including NEMA, the Military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
NEMA reported in a statement issued Tuesday that “preliminary information indicated that the suicide bomber was attempting to gain unauthorised entry into the barracks when the IED detonated.”
The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command, had both confirmed the explosion and stated that investigations were ongoing.
