Jos Bomb Explosion Update: Death toll rises to 118
Nigerian officials say the bodies of 118 people have been recovered from the scenes of two bombings in the crowded business section of the central city of Jos, reports VOA.
The blasts, which occurred Tuesday at a busy marketplace, in Jos flattened several buildings and caused fires that were still burning hours later.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan called the bombings “cruel and evil,” and said he is fully committed to winning the war on terrorism.
As at the time of filling this report no one has claimed responsibility, but suspicion immediately fell on Boko Haram , extremist group who have been responsible for several bombings, which have claimed thousands lives as it tries to purportedly set up a conservative Muslim state in the north.
However, Nigeria Police yesterday confirmed that at least 46 persons were killed in the twin explosions.
Plateau Police Commissioner, Chris Olakpe, confirmed the casualty to journalists in Jos.
He explained that the casualty would most likely increase as the figures mentioned were only from two hospitals visited, while two more were yet to be visited.
Mr. Olakpe said that the casualty figures were collated after visits to Plateau Specialist Hospital and Bingham Hospital, Jos.
“Like I told you, there should be more because we have not gone to the new and old Jos University Teaching Hospitals,’’ he further explained.
Four hospitals were the one the corpses and victims of the blast were taken to.
The police commissioner said that a comprehensive detail of casualties would be determined after the security teams had visited the remaining two health establishments and that the media would be briefed on Wednesday (Today).
COPMPOL Olakpe who said at least 45 people were injured from the explosions explained how the explosions occurred.
According to him, the first bomber came in a Fiat bus and parked at the Jos main market’s central business area.
“The second blast, which was concealed in a Siena bus, happened 100 metres away from the first one,’’ he said.
He also said one of the masterminds of the explosions was killed in the blast, adding that the market had been cordoned off and urged members of the public to steer away from the affected place in their own interest.
“Men of our anti-bomb unit will comb the market before it is declared safe for business activities to continue,” he said.
The police chief advised members of the public to always avoid the temptation of rushing to bomb scenes, adding that people around such scenes should quickly lie down for “at least 30 minutes” before scurrying to safety.
He further advised Nigerians to be security conscious in every environment they found themselves.
“We also expect people to promptly report any suspicious character to the security agencies,” he said.
Also briefing journalists, the Plateau State Commissioner of Information, Olivia Dzayem, said some of the injured victims were receiving adequate treatment at the hospitals.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to all residents in the state to be calm in spite of the present happenings,” she said. “We are all pained by the development.” He said.
