Bomb Blast: 10 Die In Niger State

No fewer than 10 persons were feared dead in a bomb explosion in Suleja in Niger State, minutes after Gov. Babangida Aliyu of the state addressed his party faithfuls.

Our correspondent  reports that the bomb exploded from a parked bus by the roadside close to Government Secondary School, Suleja, killing and maiming passersby.

An eyewitness, Sani Mohammed, told newsmen that they heard a loud explosion as the PDP Niger East Senatorial rally was drawing to a close inside the school compound.

“We saw a lot of dead bodies around the scene, with many people injured, including security agents,” he said.

He said the injured persons were evacuated to the General Hospital, Suleja and the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital in FCT for treatment.

Another witness, Malam Dikko Bissala, described the incident as a very sad event in the history of Suleja.

“We have never seen this kind of thing before in Suleja. See the number of people who are now suffering in the hospital.

“It is a sorry picture. Some people have been taken to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for treatment,’’ he said.

When contacted, the Director-General (Publicity) to the governor, Malam Bala Abdulkadir, confirmed the incident, stressing that the police were on top of the situation.

He said a loud noise was heard after Gov. Babangida Aliyu and his entourage had left the venue of the rally in Suleja.

Abdulkadir said the governor and his entourage were not affected by the explosion but declined further comments.

Also the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Niger State Command, Mr Richard Oguche, confirmed the story but declined further comments.

Effort made to contact the Chairman of the council, Malam Rabiu Barde, failed as calls to him were not picked.

The Suleja Local Government Council was this week given an award for being a peaceful city by the Nigeria Police Force.