konknaijaboy | On 25, Jun 2014

At least 21 persons have been confirmed dead and 17 others injured in an explosion that rocked Emab Plaza in Abuja.

The Wednesday’s explosion is coming barely two months after two explosions occurred at the Nyanya Motor Park in the outskirt of Nigeria’s capital city.

The bomb, concealed in an Abuja Taxi, went off at the popular shopping centre after it was dropped by an okada rider.

An eyewitness told Channels Television that the bomb was dropped at the exit point of the plaza, where a mini taxi park where passengers are picked by drivers.

Channels Television’s Lucky Isawode reports that the yet to be identified man dropped the bag and the blast occurred minutes later at about 3PM.

Isawode said: “On arrival we saw many dismembered bodies on the floor” but added that  officials from NEMA are trying to put out the fire and evacuate the dead bodies from the floor”.

He, however, couldn’t confirm the actual number of the bodies but reported that about 30 cars are badly damaged; burnt beyond recognition”.

The blast, which went off at the entrance of the plaza, has damaged the shops at the outer part, leaving the ones inside in a good condition.

 

An eye witness told DailyPost that the explosion was heavy and capable of causing many deaths.

Presently, casualty figure is not known as emergency workers are already on ground to ascertain the source of the blast and casualty figure.

A source who spoke with DailyPost at a nearby Plaza said the blast shook the entire Wuse 2, hence there will definitely be casualties. She said “The blast was so heavy that it shook our plaza. I know many will be affected, but my friends and family members who work at the plaza have confirmed that they are safe.

Wuse 2 is a strategic business area that houses many plazas and clubs in Abuja.

Speaking with popular Abuja event consultant, Yankytech at the scene of the blast, he said his shop and staff were safe, but many people died in the blast. He said ” you can see obviously that casualty figure is high. There is no way a blast could go off at Banex that there won’t be casualty. What we are waiting for now is to confirm casualty figure.

Also speaking with DailyPost. Wale Akanni said, “the evil people have struck again. Penetrating into the heart of Abuja, the popular Wuse 2 is something we cannot really imagine.

Chioma ononiwu, the owner of Red Polish also told DailyPost that the sound of the blast sent shop owners at her Plaza which is few kilometres away from Baanex running helter skelter. She said “the blast was very heavy, and definitely a bomb.”

READ MORE:  Abuja bomb blast: 21 confirmed dead, 17 injured

National Emergency Management Agency say they are unable to confirm the casualty rate just yet. But they are evacuating victims to the nearby  Maitama District Hospital.
Emergency officials also reportedly arrived without adequate material. “Tell Joseph to come with enough dead body bags,” an emergency official was heard telling his colleagues.
A Vanguard reporter on the scene said

“I can see human parts and some bodies scattered on the ground but we are too scared to get closer for fear of another bomb..Many traders and visitors to the mall are still trapped in the burning building,”

The blast is coming hours after a bomb exploded at Kasuwar Kuturu in Mubi, Adamawa State. The blast in Mubi was said to have been targeted at a military patrol vehicle, though there was no casualty in that incident.

Adamawa is one of the three states under emergency rule due to the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Here are first photos below: