Several people have been killed by a bomb blast at a bar near a barracks in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Nigeria’s President condemned the attack, blaming it on Islamists who claimed responsibility for a recent bombing in the north of the country.
The explosion happened in a market where soldiers and civilians often gather to eat and drink beer.
A police spokesman said four people had died, while military sources have told the BBC 11 people were killed.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, President Good luck Jonathan called the attacks “evil” and “wicked”.
“Basking in their nefarious success in Jos on Christmas Eve, they have once again knifed at the heartstrings of a nation decked out in gaiety, celebrating New Year’s Eve,” he said.
An Islamic sect known as Boko Haram said it had carried out the attack in Jos, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Abuja bombing.
State TV initially reported that 30 people were killed. But police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said four people had been killed – three men and one woman.
Witnesses have told the BBC they saw body parts lying on the ground and injured people being carried away after the blast.
“People ran in different directions. There were scores of bodies – dead and wounded. They used army trucks to pack telling Reuters news agency.
The area was sealed off.
Air Marshal Oluseyi Petiri said a bomb had been placed “where people were relaxing and generally being happy because of the New Year which is approaching”.
He urged Nigerians to be vigilant, following a recent spate of bomb attacks in a country where they had been almost unknown.
“Do not allow anybody to come and leave a bag, or any kind of object, especially when he is no there,” he told state TV.
Source: Daily graphic
