Explosion rocks Abuja Barracks kills one, injures one as Police begin investigation

A deadly explosion rocked Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory on Monday, killing one person and injuring another near the Mogadishu Barracks along the Mararaba-Nyanya Bypass.

The incident, which occurred around 2:50 p.m., triggered panic among residents and commuters in the area.

According to eyewitness accounts, including a military personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity, the blast was suspected to have originated from an explosive concealed in a rubber container, allegedly carried by a man believed to be a suicide bomber.

However, conflicting accounts emerged at the scene as a military officials on ground told reporters that the explosion may not have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), but possibly from a mobile phone-linked device.

Our Correspondent observed a heavy military and emergency response presence as security operatives, including personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), worked to secure the area and assess the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the explosion and the casualty figures in a statement shortly after.

According to Josephine Adeh, Command’s spokesperson, one male victim was injured in the blast and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

“The affected area was swiftly cordoned off for clearance and forensic analysis to ensure the safety of commuters and residents,” the Police said, adding that the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit was immediately deployed to the scene.

The Police have since launched a full-scale investigation to determine the exact cause and nature of the explosion.

While the possibility of terrorism has not been officially confirmed or ruled out, the Command urged residents to remain calm but vigilant.

“There is no cause for alarm. We encourage members of the public to report any suspicious persons or objects to security agencies without delay”, the statement reads.

The Police urged the public to make use the emergency numbers provided by the police which include: 08032003913, 08028940883, and 07057337653.

As of press time, no group has claimed responsibility for the incident, and security agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.