Abuja Bus Station Bombing Update

Posted: Apr, 14 2014, 7:04AM

By Saharareporters, New York

Police and emergency services officials in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja have said that the death toll from a bombing this morning at a bus station in Nyanya stands at 76 people. In addition, the officials disclosed that at least 100 people sustained various stages of critical injuries.

Police sources and eyewitnesses said the explosion went off as the park bustled with passengers who gathered there to take commuter buses known as “El Rufai”, after a former Minister of the capital territory, Nasir El Rufai. Our sources stated that day laborers frequently use the big red buses to commute to work at various locations around the metropolis.

The explosion killed many commuters and bystanders as well as set several buses ablaze, several witnesses said.

A police witness said body parts still littered the scene of the explosion several hours after the bombing. Most of the badly decimated remains as well as the injured have been taken to the General Hospital in the Maitama area of Abuja.

Ambulances belonging to different security agencies were seen making several trips from the scene of the attack.

The bombing is the first time the Nigerian capital has seen a major bombing this year. It comes as a group of Nigerians put together by President Goodluck Jonathan is meeting in Abuja to grapple with the country’s future.  The gathering known as “National Conference” promptly adjourned their sitting till 4Pm tomorrow ostensibly over security concerns.

Mr. Jonathan reportedly cancelled a planned trip outside of the capital today.  The president later visited the scene of the bombing under tight security.

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