ThisDay newspaper headquarters was hit by an explosion in the West African state of Nigeria. The country has been rocked by sectional violence in the recent period., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
ThisDay’s editorial board chairman confirms suicide attack
On April 26, 2012 3:00 pm
Nigerian Vanguard
ThisDay’s editorial board chairman has confirmed that the explosion at a newspaper office in the capital Abuja on Thursday and where at least six people people were killed was a suicide attack.
“The suicide bomber came in a jeep,” Olusegun Adeniyi told reporters at the scene. “(Security guards) opened the gate for them … The guy drove in through the gate and rammed into the building and exploded.”
The two guards were killed in the blast along with the bomber, he said. Five support staff were wounded.
“Fortunately the newsroom is a bit far from the back of the building,” said Adeniyi. “So all the people in the newsroom … are all safe.”
The privately owned newspaper is one of Nigeria’s most prominent and influential. It is based in the economic capital Lagos, but has a major operation in the capital Abuja.
Another bomb attack at roughly the same time in the northern city of Kaduna targeting a complex that also includes a ThisDay office left at least three people dead as well, making a total of six.
Publisher, journalists condemn attack on ThisDay offices
On April 26, 2012 6:00 pm
Nigerian vanguard
Port Harcourt – Some journalists in Rivers have condemned Thursday’s bombings of ThisDay Newspapers buildings in Abuja and Kaduna.
Also Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has condemned the bomb attacks on the offices of some national newspapers on Thursday, stating that they were aimed at suppressing the rising anger against the bombers.
The journalists, who spoke in Port Harcourt, described the attacks on the media outfit as “senseless and barbaric.”
It is the first terror attack on a media outfit since the insurgency of terrorists in the country.
The Correspondent of the Tribune Newspaper, Mr Bolaji Ogundele, said it was worrisome that terrorists would attack the media which was the voice of the ordinary man.
“It makes me wonder, which way we are going if the media cannot function, it means total darkness for the nation. ’’
Mr Eddie Williams, the Publisher of a Port-Harcourt-based tabloid “The Envoy’’, said it was inexcusable for anybody to be attacked by terrorists, let alone a media outfit.
He called on the Federal Government to step up action to crush terrorism in the country.
Mr Reward Akwu, a former Rivers Council Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, said that objective information dissemination would be hampered if terrorists target media outfits.
He called on the Federal Government to embark on proactive measures curbing the spate of bombings.
The governor, in a release by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, said that it was extreme cowardice for the bombers to resort to killing people and destroying properties.
Valiant people, he said, confront issues rather than making issues out of matters that could be settled through dialogue.
Ajimobi said that the bombers, whose periodic attacks were against innocent people and churches, decided to carry the attacks to newspaper houses, showed that they were incensed at the reportage of their nefarious activities.
He commiserated with the management of Thisday and other newspapers whose premises were attacked, stating that it was a prize they had to pay for dissemination of the truth.
While urging security agencies to expedite action about curtailing the activities of the Boko Haram and “their allied partners on this journey of destruction.”
Ajimobi expressed optimism that the country would soon be rid of its “enemies within
(NAN)
President Jonathan deplores bomb blasts at newspaper houses
On April 26, 2012 6:08 pm
Nigerian Vanguard
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condemned the bomb blasts which occurred earlier today at newspaper houses in Abuja and Kaduna.
The President who received the sad news in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire where he is attending an Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the situation in Mali and Guinea-Bissau, described the attack as “ignoble, misguided, horrendous and wicked.”
President Jonathan reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government (FG) to continue to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of expression in general and of press freedom in particular, pledging that criminal elements bent on instilling fear in the minds of Nigerians and foreigners will not succeed.
The President urged media practitioners not to be dissuaded from carrying out their fearless campaign for peace, justice and equity as democracy cannot flourish without press freedom.
President Jonathan commiserated with the bereaved families and other innocent victims of the explosions, and also prayed that Almighty God will grant them succour in their moment of grief and the souls of the departed, peaceful repose.
The President further assured all Nigerians that the Administration remains undeterred in its resolve to ensure the safety of lives and property at all times.
Explosion rocks This Day premises, three feared dead
Thursday, 26 April 2012 00:00 From Joke Akanmu, Abuja, with Agency report News - National
Nigerian Guardian
A SUICIDE bomber forced himself into the premises of ThisDay Newspapers at Jabi in Abuja on Thursday and detonated an explosive, killing himself and two others.
Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman of the Editorial Board of the newspapers confirmed the death of two employees of the organisation and that of the suicide bomber.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the blast destroyed parts of the building and many cars parked within the premises.
Mr Aderenle Shinaba, Commissioner of Police in the FCT, declined to confirm the number of deaths, saying that ``the primary role of the police and other security agencies now is to rescue victims.’’
He said seven injured persons were immediately taken to hospitals and that one of them had been discharged, adding that the police cordoned off the area to ensure that spectators did not gain access and sustain injuries.
Also speaking, Mr Martin Osuwah, a Deputy Director, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who is in charge of ``Search and Rescue’’ said it was too early to speak on the number of deaths.
He confirmed, however, that many people were injured.
NAN learnt that the suicide bomber gained entry into the premises from the rear gate and rammed into the building.
The effect of the explosion created a deep crater on the spot of the explosion and shattered the widows of a six-storey building behind the Thisday office.
Meanwhile, shops and banks in and around Jabi road have been closed as workers scampered to safety.
NAN reports that rescue operations by all the security agencies were coordinated by NEMA.
Speaking with newsmen at the scene, former Minister of the FCT, Nasir El-Rufai expressed shock at the turn of events and wondered why media houses should be the target of bombers.
Also, three persons, including a motorcyclist were feared dead in Kaduna, following a bomb attack along Kontagora Road by Ahmadu Bello Way in the city
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred around 11.20 a.m. from a car in front of the building where ThisDay, The SUN and The Moment Newspapers have their offices.
The police confirmed the incident but declined further comments on casualties.
The Spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP. Aminu Lawal, told reporters at the scene of the incident that the police were still compiling the number of casualties as investigation had commenced.
NAN correspondents, reports however, that the body of the motorcyclist was seen at the spot, while an eye-witness, who resides in the area said that he lost two of his younger brothers.
Similarly, those injured by the explosion had been evacuated to Rakiya Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The suspected bomber, who tried to escape after successfully driving into the compound housing the newspapers had been apprehended and handed over to the police by some residents of the area.
The Kaduna Bureau Chief of the SUN, Mr Ismail Omipidan, told newsmen that but for the quick intervention of residents, the building would have been blown off.
He said that following the intervention, the suspected bomber removed the explosive from the car, a 1997 Honda model, and threw it out on the road where it exploded.
NAN reports that in spite of warnings by security agencies against rushing to scene of such incidents, hundreds of people thronged the area to have a glimpse of the incident.
The area was condoned-off by security agents, while shops within the premises were locked.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has condemned the bomb blasts which occurred earlier today at newspaper houses in Abuja and Kaduna. The President who received the sad news in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire where he is attending an Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the situation in Mali and Guinea-Bissau, described the attack as “ignoble, misguided, horrendous and wicked.”
President Jonathan reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government (FG) to continue to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of expression in general and of press freedom in particular, pledging that criminal elements bent on instilling fear in the minds of Nigerians and foreigners will not succeed.
A statement by the Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati this afternoon said the President urged media practitioners not to be dissuaded from carrying out their fearless campaign for peace, justice and equity as democracy cannot flourish without press freedom.
President Jonathan commiserated with the bereaved families and other innocent victims of the explosions, and also prayed that Almighty God will grant them succour in their moment of grief and the souls of the departed, peaceful repose.
The President further assured all Nigerians that the Administration remains undeterred in its resolve to ensure the safety of lives and property at all times.
Blasts: 13 victims at Abuja hospitals
By Augustine Ehikioya
Nigerian Nation
Eight out of the 13 victims of Thursday’s bomb blasts at Thisday newspapers are in stable condition and receiving treatments at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The remaining five victims are getting medical attention at the Wuse General Hospital, also in the Federal Capital Territory.
At the National Hospital, the Principal Information Officer of the hospital, Hajiya Rabiah Labaran, confirmed that three dead victims of the blasts have been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
She said: “Eight victims were brought to the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital at about 11.30 and 11.40am and at about 12 pm when we went to the mortuary, we found three dead bodies.’’
While six of them are still receiving treatment and are in stable condition, she said that two of the victims who sustained mild injuries have been treated and discharged.
The eight victims comprising two females and six males are - Chimeze Grace, Ekom Ngozi, Danladi Timothy, Abubakar Zaki Danlabo, Danda Nuhu, Sunday Adefoye, Akpi Boy Okogie and Blessing Elom.
The Deputy Director Search and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency, Martins Usuwa, confirmed that five persons were taken to Wuse General Hospital for treatment.
One of the victims of the blast, a female fuel attendant at the Conoil petrol station, opposite Thisday, named Blessing said “I was selling fuel, when I heard a loud bang and then some sharp objects hit me on the hand, then I was brought here.”
The officials at the Wuse General hospital were not forthcoming on information concerning the situation of those brought in for treatment.
But insider sources disclosed that three out of the five victims brought in were in very critical condition.
Explosion Rocks Army Barrack
26 Apr 2012
By Ibrahim Shuaibu and Michael Olugbode
Nigerian ThisDay
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) allegedly placed inside a gutter adjacent to the Army Barrack in Bukavu, Kano State Wednesday exploded at about 9 pm.
The explosion however occurred on a day the the Joint Task Force (JTF) killed a suspected Boko Haram member shortly after the group invaded a house killing a retired civil servant in Borno State.
But the explosion, which took place near a shopping complex around Dantata, was said to be a small IED which exploded but did not hurt anybody.
An eye witness account said though there were no casualties, residents of the area were however thrown into panic as a result of the explosion.
Spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the incident, saying: “The explosion occurred adjacent to the army barrack in Bukavu at a nearby shopping complex inside a gutter.
“It’s true there are minor explosions and no injury was recorded because it exploded when there was no anybody around.”
Reports also said soldiers had cordoned off the scene of the explosion, barring civilians from staying around the area.
It was also learnt that commercial activities were hurriedly closed down by the traders around the army barrack, the road was deserted as commercial and private cars stay off the area for their safety.
Meanwhile, the JTF in Maiduguri in a statement by its spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said: “At about 1300 hours today, suspected Boko Haram sect on a tricycle machine (KEKE NAPEP) where led to a house of a retired civil servant located at Bulunkutu Tsallake in Maiduguri metropolis and shot him dead.”
The statement further read that “JTF cordoned and searched the area which resulted in the killing of one of the terrorists.”
The spokesman further revealed that the task force was able to recover the tricycle that was used to launch the attack.
He also disclosed that last night they were still searching the area for the other sect members involved in the killing of the retired civil servant.
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