No fewer than 150 persons were said to have been killed after a twin explosion hit a popular Market in Jos, yesterday. Although the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, said that those who lost their lives were about 46 while 45 others were wounded, residents however said they counted no fewer than 150 dead bodies after the incident.
It was gathered that the first bomb was detonated by a suicide bomber in a Fiat car, around 3pm when the market was at its height.
The second blast, report says occurred when a Toyota Sienna, parked about 20 metres from the scene of the first exploded. One of the eyewitnesses said the bomber in the Fiat car stopped it abruptly along the busy Muritala Mohammed Way which is very close to the old site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
One of the eyewitnesses, who gave his name as Suleiman, told newsmen that he was one of the few people that arrived at the scene and started helping the victims.
Suleiman whose clothes were stained with blood said that for more than 20 minutes after the blasts, there was no security presence. “I was in the place when the first explosion happened. I ran to the place and there was no security around to assist. Immediately, few of us started to help those injured.
However, the fire from the blast could not allow us to go near and help more people. It was terrible; I have never seen such a thing.”Another eyewitness, Peter Amine, said, “We were inside the market when I heard a loud explosion at about 3.28pm. Before I knew what happened, a piece of metal landed very close to my legs.”
Meanwhile, the State Police Commissioner said, “At about 3 pm, I was in my office when I heard a loud explosion around the Terminus area. I immediately mobilised and moved to the area and just about 20 minutes later, the second explosion went off.
He added that the police had commenced what he called a “post-blast investigation” and appealed to the traders in the market to stay away for a while in order not to jeopardise the probe.” see photos,.....
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