Nyesom Wike | File Image
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has stirred controversy over the blast that rocked the Mogadishu Army Cantonment along the Abuja-Keffi Road on Monday May 26, 2025.
Wike, who spoke during an inspection tour of some ongoing projects in the FCT on Tuesday, said that the blast was not a suicide bombing, contrary to the earlier official information from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The minister explained that the incident occurred when an individual without knowledge stole an explosive from a quarry and was en route to his destination when it detonated.
He also assured that Abuja remains the safest place in Nigeria, stressing that his administration would not relent in its effort to maintain the status quo.
But NEMA had attributed the incident to an individual wearing an improvised explosive device, who attempted to infiltrate the Army Cantonment.
Meanwhile, one person was reported injured in Monday’s blast at a bus-stop along the Mararaba-Nyanya Expressway.
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The police had said that a comprehensive investigation had commenced, including detailed forensic analysis, to ascertain the exact cause and nature of the explosion.
But in a statement on Tuesday, NEMA said that the explosion occurred when a suicide bomber strapped with an improvised explosive device (IED), attempted to sneak into the Mogadishu Army Cantonment.
The agency said that it was alerted to the explosion at about 1:47pm on Monday.
Subsequently, a team was immediately activated to coordinate response.
“The team met stern-looking security personnel at the already cordoned scene.
However, it was gathered that a suicide bomber attempted to sneak into the barrack but met his waterloo as the IED exploded on him while trying to negotiate an entry.
“The suicide bomber died instantly leaving one passerby injured. The EOD unit of the NPF evacuated the injured to the National Hospital and took over the scene for further investigation, bringing the operation to a close at 5:29pm. Stakeholders present included NEMA, the military, NPF, DSS, and the FRSC.”
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