118 killed as twin blasts rock Jos market

JOS—The relative peace enjoyed by residents of Jos, Plateau State capital for some time was shattered, yesterday, as two bomb explosions ripped through Terminus Market in the city, killing no fewer than 118 persons and injuring several others . The Police, however, said that 46 were killed while 45 others were injured.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), described the casualty rate of the blasts as catastrophic just as President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Jonah Jang and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal condemned it.

EXPLOSION—Firefighters and rescuers extinguish a fire at the scene of the bomb blast at Terminus Market in the central city of Jos, yesterday. Photo: AFP.

The first explosion was said to have gone off in the market, located at Jos Terminus, at the back of the popular Ahmadu Bello Way by 2.30pm, while the second explosion occurred about 30 minutes later.

The first blast, according to an eye witness, was said to have gone off in a Sienna space bus with number plate Plateau XB 146 BLD.

The second blast was said to have killed more people than the first, as many residents and traders, who had fled the scene following the first explosion, tried to join rescue agencies to save the injured and retrieve bodies of the dead.

At least five residents who were suspicious of a mysterious van parked in their area reportedly informed police officers but no police officer arrived at the scene, and nothing was done until the car exploded some hours afterwards.

Briefing journalists in Jos, the State Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe said the bodies have been deposited at the Plateau Specialists Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, all in Jos.

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