UPDATE ON JOS EXPLOSION: Police confirm 46 killed
Adetokunbo Fakeye with agency reports
Police authorities have confirmed that at least 46 persons were killed in the explosions that rocked Jos, the Plateau State capital, Tuesday afternoon.
The State Police Commissioner, Chris Olakpe, confirmed the casualty to journalists, adding at least 45 others were injured.
NEMA Coordinator for the North Central, Abdulsalam Abubakar, said the explosive devices were placed in cars.
“I can’t tell you the figure of those killed by the blasts now, because we are still evacuating bodies from the scene.
“The only thing I can say is that the casualty figure is very massive. It is a catastrophe.
“The bombers parked the cars and left the explosives to detonate. It was in the market and at a peak period. So, you can only imagine what could have happened,’’ he explained.
The NEMA official said dead bodies and mutilated human parts were being deposited at the old and new Jos University Teaching Hospitals, as well as the Plateau Special Hospital.
“There are also a massive number of people injured. We have conveyed some to various hospitals,’’ he said.
He said that an idea of the number of casualties was only possible after the rescue operation.
“We will have to first finish the operation and then visit the various hospitals. For now, we are only picking dead bodies all over the place,’’ Mr. Abubakar said.
