Explosion in Abuja Claims Life of Alleged Suicide Bomber

A suspected suicide bomber was neutralized in an explosion at a bus stop near the Mogadishu Military Cantonment in Asokoro District, Abuja, on Monday. The blast resulted in one person confirmed dead and two others injured.

Authorities from both the Nigerian Army and Police Force have acknowledged the occurrence. The Nigerian Army issued a statement assuring that the situation at the scene, located opposite Mogadishu Cantonment (commonly known as Abacha Barracks), is now under control.

Military sources indicated that the individual believed to be the bomber was intercepted on the bridge connecting Mogadishu Barracks to the Guzape area. The suspect was reportedly en route into Abuja from the Nyanya-Mararaba axis along the Abuja-Keffi highway when he was stopped.

It was reported that the attacker was armed with approximately six mortars and was engaged by security personnel before being killed. Two civilians at the scene sustained injuries during the incident.

Lt-Col Appolonia Anele, acting director of Army Public Relations, did not immediately respond to inquiries for further details; however, an official post on the Nigerian Army’s X (formerly Twitter) account confirmed the explosion.

“Explosion at bus stop opposite Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja. Situation contained. Further information to follow,” the post read.

The army has yet to release detailed reports concerning the event.

Simultaneously, the Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into the explosion along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass. The FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that officers responded promptly after receiving distress calls at approximately 2:
50 pm.

She noted that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was deployed to secure the scene, where one male victim was rescued and transported to a medical facility for treatment. The police have commenced forensic analysis to establish the cause of the blast and are urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant.

“We advise residents to report any suspicious activity or persons and to use the emergency contact lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, or 07057337653,” SP Adeh stated.

Historically, Abuja has endured similar terrorist attacks. Notably, on December 31, 2010, Boko Haram militants targeted Mammy Market within Mogadishu Cantonment, causing multiple casualties during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Official figures confirmed four deaths and 13 injuries, though some accounts suggest the toll could have been as high as 30.

More recently, on January 6, 2025, a bombing occurred at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi, Bwari Area Council. The incident involved three men from Katsina who brought an improvised explosive device (IED) onto the school premises. The device detonated while being handled on the school veranda, killing two of the men and injuring a third man and a female trader. The FCT Bomb Squad verified the IED’s involvement, and the school owner has been detained for questioning.