Wike Disputes NEMA’s Claim, Says Abuja Explosion Was Not A Suicide Bomb Attempt

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Monday’s explosion near the Mogadishu Army Cantonment on the Abuja-Keffi Road was a suicide bombing.

Speaking during an inspection of some ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike explained that the incident was caused by an individual who unknowingly stole an explosive device from a quarry site.

According to him, the person was carrying the explosive when it accidentally went off.

Wike urged the public not to panic or spread misinformation, stressing that Abuja remains one of the safest cities in the country and that the FCT administration is fully committed to keeping it that way.

The minister said, ”The security never said it was a suicide bomber. So don’t go and create an impression and put fear in people. NEMA is not the head of security. Security agencies are there.

”What happened was that there was somebody that went to where we have these quarries, where they blast all these rocks. The person took the explosive and put it in his pocket. Of course, some of them may not even understand the implication of that and so, it exploded on him.

”So that does not mean that it is a suicide bomber. We should be careful in the story we are planting; let’s not send the wrong message to the residents.”

This contradicts an earlier statement released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which claimed the explosion was the result of a failed suicide bombing attempt.

According to NEMA, a person wearing an improvised explosive device (IED) tried to enter the army barracks but the device exploded before he could get in.

NEMA said they were alerted to the explosion at about 1:47 p.m. on Monday. When their response team arrived, they met tight security at the scene.

Their report stated that the suspected suicide bomber died instantly, while a passerby was injured and taken to the National Hospital by the police’s bomb squad.

The scene was later taken over for investigation, with various agencies including the police, military, DSS, FRSC, and NEMA involved in the operation, which ended around 5:29 p.m.

NEMA said, “The team met stern-looking security personnel at the already cordoned scene. Information gathered revealed that a suicide bomber attempted to sneak into the barrack but met his waterloo as the IED exploded on him while trying to negotiate an entry.

“The suicide bomber died instantly leaving one passerby injured. The EOD unit of the NPF evacuated the injured to the National Hospital and took over the scene for further investigation, bringing the operation to a close at 5:29 pm. Stakeholders present included NEMA, the military, NPF, DSS, and the FRSC.”

Meanwhile, the police have launched a full investigation and are conducting forensic checks to determine the exact cause and nature of the explosion.

KanyiDaily recalls that multiple explosions rocked the Giwa army barracks in Maiduguri on Wednesday, causing widespread panic throughout the Borno state capital.