ABUJA, April 15 — An explosion that took place at a bus station in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja yesterday killed at least 71 people and injured at least 124 more, according to Reuters.
Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, director of search and rescue operations, said security experts suspect the explosion was inside a vehicle. One bus driver, Julius Kayode, told The Guardian that he was having a cup of tea with coworkers when he noticed a man carrying a bag push his way into an idle bus nearby. The man darted out of the vehicle a few seconds later and disappeared into the crowd, according to Kayode.
Reuters reports “President Goodluck Jonathan pointed the finger of suspicion at Boko Haram, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Islamist militants who are active mainly in the northeast.
“Visiting the scene, Jonathan denounced ‘the activities of those who are trying to move our country backwards’ by staging such an attack. ‘We will get over it ... The issue of Boko Haram is temporary,’ he said, imploring Nigerians to be more vigilant in the face of suspicious characters.
“Boko Haram militants are increasingly targeting civilians they accuse of collaborating with the government or security forces. Amnesty International estimates the conflict has killed 1,500 people in the past year.” — Reuters
