There was panic on Monday afternoon after a loud explosion was heard near the Abacha Barracks along the Nyanya-Maraba road in Abuja.
The incident, which happened around 2:50 p.m., caused fear among residents and people passing by the area. According to the PUNCH, one person was injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
A witness said, “There was an explosion around our area today. I can’t say exactly what caused it, but it was loud. People are saying it could be a suicide bomb, but nothing has been confirmed yet.”
The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but security officials quickly moved to the scene. The Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
The police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said, “At about 2:50 p.m., an explosion occurred along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass in Abuja. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was immediately deployed to the scene. The area was cordoned off to allow for proper checks and safety of the public.”
She added, “One male victim was rescued at the scene and taken to the hospital. He is currently receiving medical attention.”
Adeh also stated that police have started a full investigation, including forensic checks, to find out what caused the blast.
She advised residents to stay calm and alert. “There is no cause for alarm. However, we urge the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station,” she said.
The police shared emergency contact numbers for residents to report any suspicious movement: 08032003913, 08028940883, and 07057337653.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Onyechi Anele, were not successful as of press time.
