The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the explosion that rocked Abuja on Monday afternoon was a failed suicide bombing attempt.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NEMA revealed that the incident occurred when an individual wearing an improvised explosive device (IED) tried to infiltrate the Mogadishu Army Cantonment, located along the Mararaba-Nyanya expressway.
According to the agency, the device detonated during the attempt, killing the suspected bomber on the spot and injuring a civilian passerby.
The injured civilian was promptly evacuated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigeria Police Force and taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention.
The blast, which happened at approximately 1:47 p.m. on Monday, triggered a rapid response from several security and emergency agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and NEMA.
Earlier, both the Nigerian Army and the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police had confirmed the explosion, noting that investigations were underway.
“Preliminary information indicates that the suicide bomber was attempting to gain unauthorised entry into the barracks when the IED detonated,” NEMA stated.
The agency added that forensic experts have commenced investigations into the blast, with the joint operation officially concluding at 5:29 p.m. on the same day.
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