Bombers attack media houses in Abuja, Kaduna

Bombers attack media houses in Abuja, Kaduna

Suspected members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad sect also known as Boko Haram, on Thursday, attacked three media houses in Abuja and Kaduna, killing six persons and injuring many others.

A suicide bomber detonated a car loaded with explosives at the Abuja office of THISDAY Newspapers in the Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory, killing three people, including two security staff, and injuring 13 others.

A separate attack in Kaduna targeted at the offices of ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment newspapers claimed three lives.

The Abuja bomber drove a dark green Isuzu Sport Utility Vehicle through the gates of ThisDay’s office around 11a.m and blew himself up. Thirteen people, including reporters, passers-by and fuel attendants at a nearby filling station, were injured.

The remains of the dead were taken away to the morgue of the National Hospital, Abuja while the injured were conveyed to various hospitals in the city.

The SUV was totally burnt, but its spare tyre bore the inscription, Isuzu.

Firemen swiftly raced to the scene but some witnesses said one of their trucks broke down on the way.

About 10 vehicles were damaged by the blast, which left workers and residents of the area badly shaken.

A witness said a suspected bomber identified as Shehue alighted from a Honda car near SOJ Global Communications and Investment Ltd Plaza, which houses The Sun, ThisDay and The Moment newspapers in the Kontagora area of Kaduna, and started shouting that he was carrying a bomb.

The witness said some youths dragged the suspect to the car and forced him to retrieve the bomb. When he brought it out, he threw it into the crowd, causing it to explode.

Three persons died instantly while the suspect brought out a pistol and fired into the crowd. He fled the scene but was discovered after an intense search and given a serious beating.

He was then handed over to a detachment of policemen and soldiers, who were drawn to the scene by a witness.

Bomb experts combed the premises of ThisDay’s Abuja office and the charred remains of the SUV for clues, even as they picked up body parts scattered all over the blast scene.

The Chairman, Editorial Board, ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, who was at the scene of the Abuja bomb blast, condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and uncalled for.

He said, “Our office was bombed and two of our security men and the suicide bomber died while five of our support staff were injured and have been taken to the hospital.

“The front gate has been blocked with a vehicle; there would be full briefing on it later. The suicide bomber came in an SUV and they opened for him. Unfortunately, we can’t ask the security men why they opened for the suicide bomber because they also died. The bomber rammed his vehicle into the gate and the explosion went off.

“We were fortunate because the newsroom is a bit far. But the people that were in the newsroom, especially the advert department, are all safe. There has been a general threat to the media and instances of warning.”

Asked why the company was targeted, he replied, “I don’t believe in speculation. The security operatives will get to the root of the matter. I don’t have the details of the Kaduna incident but it has been confirmed that there was a bomb attack on our office in Kaduna.”

Following the incident, workers at the ThisDay Dome were directed to leave the premises located opposite the Federal Ministry of Justice. The event centre is owned by the media house.

Three persons were said to have been brought in dead at the National Hospital, Abuja while eight persons with varying degrees of injuries were brought in for treatment.

A source at the hospital told journalists that all of the eight that came in were in stable conditions, adding that some would most likely be discharged within a few hours.

The Deputy Director of Search and Rescue at the National Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Martins Usuwa, said that five persons were taken to the Wuse General Hospital for treatment.

He said he would go round the hospitals where victims of the blast had been taken to confirm casualties before briefing the media.

A visit to the Emergency Ward of the National Hospital revealed that the injured were between the ages of 12 and 45 years.

One of the injured identified as Blessing is a female fuel attendant at the Conoil Petrol Station, opposite ThisdayDome.

At the Wuse General Hospital, officials were not forthcoming with information. Our correspondents, however, learnt that out of the five that were brought in, three were in a critical condition.

A source stated that the injured were likely to be admitted to the hospital due to the severity of their wounds.

The Kaduna bombing which occurred about 11.40am, disrupted commercial activities in the state capital.

The incident, which occurred barely three weeks after the Easter day bombing in the city, in which over 40 persons died, claimed the life a tailor, Isa; an okada rider and an unidentified man.

But the state police command said only one person died in the blast. The blast forced traders at the Sheik Abubakar Gumi Central Market and shop owners at the ever busy Ahmadu Bello Way to shut shop.

Injured persons were taken to Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital and St. Gerard Hospital while the critical cases were referred to the Ahmadu Bello Hospital, Shika, Zaria.

According to the circulation clerk, ThisDay, Mr. Monday Emmanuel, the bomber parked the car and started shouting that the car was about to explode.

“It was around 11.00a.m when Shehu ran up to tell us that we should run. He said there was a bomb within the premises and we should run.

“At first we thought he was joking, but we noticed that he was dead serious. So we ran for our dear lives. We left the premises before the bomb exploded.

“The bomber was pursued by people around the neighbourhood and was caught and beaten seriously. Everybody along the street was gripped by fear and confusion.”

The prime suspect in the blast was however, apprehended and he is now receiving treatment at a hospital in Kaduna.

Confirming the incident, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Jingiri Abubakar, commended the residents of the area for apprehending the suspected bomber, adding that investigation was ongoing.

“We have commenced interrogation and from what we have got so far, he is a stranger from another state. But I will not tell you the state.

“The situation is under control and you can see that we have pumped in a lot of security and the area has been cordoned off. You can see the fire service is busy working to put out the fire that is on.

“I cannot precisely confirm to you that media houses were the prime targets. What I can tell you is that for these dangerous elements, everybody is a target. The devastation is moderate. It is not as high as that of the Easter Sunday blast.”

A source told our correspondent that when the police towed the bomber’s car away, they discovered 11 wired cylinders in it.

The State Security Service confirmed the deaths of tree persons, including the suicide bomber, in the Abuja blast. It added that 13 persons were injured.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, the service stated that an attempt by two men to blow up a plaza housing ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment newspapers in Kaduna was frustrated by gallant members of the public.

It reads, “At 1100 hours, two persons in a cream coloured Honda Accord (Academy) car with registration number AL 306 MKA, drove into SOJ Global Communications and Investment Limited Plaza which houses correspondents of The Sun, Thisday and Moment newspapers, located at R9, Kontagora Road Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna.

“One of the assailants, Umaru Umaru Mustapha, an indigene of Maiduguri, Borno State, alighted from the car with a container of Improvised Explosive Device. He was immediately challenged by two gallant Nigerians, following which he threw the bomb at them and it detonated, killing them instantly.

“Subsequently, Mustapha pulled out a pistol and fired several shots in the air in an attempt to escape. He was, however, caught and subdued by brave members of the public who refused to be intimidated and handed him over to security forces. Nine persons were injured and are receiving treatment.

“The Service wishes to state that the new affront on the media should not deter patriotic reportage of issues that affect our collective interest as Nigerians.”

The SSS condoled with families of victims and the deceased, and applauded “the rare gallantry and patriotism exhibited by well meaning members of the public who risked their lives to save others.”

Criminals won’t succeed –Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan described the bomb blasts as misguided and wicked.

Jonathan who was attending an Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, at the time of the blasts, said that despite the development, criminals who were bent on instilling fear in the minds of Nigerians and foreigners would not succeed.

The President’s reaction was contained in a statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

He said the attacks were “ignoble, misguided, horrendous and wicked” and promised that the Federal Government would continue to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of expression in general and of press freedom in particular.

The President urged journalists not to be dissuaded from carrying out their fearless campaign for peace, justice and equity as democracy cannot flourish without press freedom.

He commiserated with the bereaved families and other victims of the explosions, and prayed that Almighty God will grant them succour in their moment of grief and the souls of the departed, peaceful repose.

The government will “continue to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of expression in general and press freedom in particular. Criminal elements bent on instilling fear in the minds of Nigerians and foreigners will not succeed,” the statement read.

Also, the President of the Senate, David Mark, described Thursday’s bombing of media houses as an assault on the freedom of the press.

Mark, who is recuperating after a medical trip abroad, charged the perpetrators of these evil acts to fear God.

He said the Federal Government’s doors were opened for resolution of any grievances and assured that the present administration was not resting on its oars at ensuring safety of lives and property.

Mark called on journalists across the country not to be deterred by the blast, saying, “We are touched by the news of the bomb attack on your outfits by faceless individuals.

“It is unjust, savage, dastard and evil. As a people, we must all join hands to contain these ugly acts in our midst. We must rise to the challenge of these devious attacks. This is basically an assault on the freedom of the press which every journalist in our nation laboured to achieve.”

He urged journalists to see the assault as a challenge on their part and not to relent in the discharge of their duties as the watchdog of the society.

He consoled the management of the newspapers hit by the assailants in Abuja and Kaduna and that God would grant the soul of the victims that died in the attack eternal rest as well as quick recovery for those that sustained various degrees of injury.

Tambuwal expresses shock

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, and his Deputy, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, expressed shock over the bombing of the media houses.

A statement by Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, described the incidents as “worrisome and unfortunate.”

“As the conscience of the society and its watchdog, any attack on the media signals a dangerous trend whose consequence will be devastating to the polity,” the statement said.

The speaker charged journalists not to be deterred by the attacks, but to continue their “courageous duties” of mirroring the society.

Source: www.punchng.com