Police
authorities in Kano State and some security sources on Tuesday gave
different figures as casualties of the Monday suicide bomb blasts at an
inter-state commercial bus park in Sabon-Gari, Kano.
authorities in Kano State and some security sources on Tuesday gave
different figures as casualties of the Monday suicide bomb blasts at an
inter-state commercial bus park in Sabon-Gari, Kano.
While
the security sources, who were among those taking a tally of the
victims, said the death toll had risen from 30 to about 75, the Kano State
Police Command gave a much lower number of 22.
the security sources, who were among those taking a tally of the
victims, said the death toll had risen from 30 to about 75, the Kano State
Police Command gave a much lower number of 22.
The
blasts, which injured scores of passengers, drivers, hawkers and
visitors, also destroyed five Marco polo luxury buses. A Marco
polo bus belonging to Gobison Motors had on board over
70 passengers when it was attacked by the suicide bombers as it was
about departing the ever-busy park for Lagos.
blasts, which injured scores of passengers, drivers, hawkers and
visitors, also destroyed five Marco polo luxury buses. A Marco
polo bus belonging to Gobison Motors had on board over
70 passengers when it was attacked by the suicide bombers as it was
about departing the ever-busy park for Lagos.
One of
the security sources, who did not give his name because he was not
permitted to do so, told our correspondent that the
death toll was high because the luxury buses were parked close to one
another since they were to move in convoy.
the security sources, who did not give his name because he was not
permitted to do so, told our correspondent that the
death toll was high because the luxury buses were parked close to one
another since they were to move in convoy.
“The
luxury buses always travel in convoy for security reasons and this was why the
casualty figure was high. They were parked close to one another.
Most passengers in the first bus which might have had at least 70 passengers,
including those that were given seats called ‘attachment’,
died,” he said.
luxury buses always travel in convoy for security reasons and this was why the
casualty figure was high. They were parked close to one another.
Most passengers in the first bus which might have had at least 70 passengers,
including those that were given seats called ‘attachment’,
died,” he said.
The
officer explained that each of the buses had about 75 or more passengers.
officer explained that each of the buses had about 75 or more passengers.
“One
of the suicide bombers must have timed the attack because he drove into
the park and attacked the first bus when the five buses were filled up and were
about to drive out in convoy to Lagos and that was why he (bomber) achieved a
heavy casualty rate,” he said.
of the suicide bombers must have timed the attack because he drove into
the park and attacked the first bus when the five buses were filled up and were
about to drive out in convoy to Lagos and that was why he (bomber) achieved a
heavy casualty rate,” he said.
But the
Kano State Police Command which put the casualty at 22, said
that 65 persons, mostly passengers were injured.
Kano State Police Command which put the casualty at 22, said
that 65 persons, mostly passengers were injured.
The
Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Musa Daura, told journalists in Kano that
the attack was executed by two suicide bombers, who rammed their vehicle
against one of the luxury buses.
Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Musa Daura, told journalists in Kano that
the attack was executed by two suicide bombers, who rammed their vehicle
against one of the luxury buses.
He
said, “Two suicide bombers drove a blue Volkswagen
Golf into the luxurious
bus motor park along New Road, Sabon Gari. They attacked and hit a loaded bus
belonging to Gobison Motors which was taking off to Lagos and sparked off a
serious explosion,’’
said, “Two suicide bombers drove a blue Volkswagen
Golf into the luxurious
bus motor park along New Road, Sabon Gari. They attacked and hit a loaded bus
belonging to Gobison Motors which was taking off to Lagos and sparked off a
serious explosion,’’
He said
this caused the bus to burst into flames which affected passengers, hawkers,
traders and workers at the park.
this caused the bus to burst into flames which affected passengers, hawkers,
traders and workers at the park.
Daura
confirmed that five buses were burnt during the incident, adding that, ‘‘fire-
fighters immediately raced to the scene and the flames were put under
control after which the whole area was cordoned off.’’
confirmed that five buses were burnt during the incident, adding that, ‘‘fire-
fighters immediately raced to the scene and the flames were put under
control after which the whole area was cordoned off.’’
The
police commissioner said those who survived the attack were currently receiving
medical attention in hospitals in the city, while many corpses
were deposited in the morgue.
police commissioner said those who survived the attack were currently receiving
medical attention in hospitals in the city, while many corpses
were deposited in the morgue.
He
urged residents of the troubled city to remain calm and go about
their normal business, adding that security agencies were committed to the
protection of lives and property.
urged residents of the troubled city to remain calm and go about
their normal business, adding that security agencies were committed to the
protection of lives and property.
Daura
also confirmed the killing of a policewoman by suspected gunmen on Tuesday
morning.
also confirmed the killing of a policewoman by suspected gunmen on Tuesday
morning.
He said
the victim, who was attached to Zone 1, Headquarters of the police, was
attacked while replacing the flat tyre of her car.
the victim, who was attached to Zone 1, Headquarters of the police, was
attacked while replacing the flat tyre of her car.
Residents
of new bus station in Sabon Gari on Monday night deserted the streets to avoid
arrest by security personnel who took over the motor park area and
surrounding streets shortly after the incident.
of new bus station in Sabon Gari on Monday night deserted the streets to avoid
arrest by security personnel who took over the motor park area and
surrounding streets shortly after the incident.
Findings
showed that some of the residents even left their homes after the
blasts which shook the buildings in the area to their foundations.
showed that some of the residents even left their homes after the
blasts which shook the buildings in the area to their foundations.
Intercity
drivers and commercial bus operators also left the park with their vehicles.
drivers and commercial bus operators also left the park with their vehicles.
Meanwhile,
the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, has described the blasts
as “callous , unwarranted and wicked.”
the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, has described the blasts
as “callous , unwarranted and wicked.”
Moro, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, George Udoh
, said he was pained when he heard the news of the killing of
innocent Nigerians by persons suspected to be Boko
Haram members.
The
minister “reiterated the need for prominent Nigerians,
student union , civil society and religious groups as well
as traditional institutions and professional bodies to
voice out their resentment against the evil being perpetrated by members
of the inglorious sect on the nation.
minister “reiterated the need for prominent Nigerians,
student union , civil society and religious groups as well
as traditional institutions and professional bodies to
voice out their resentment against the evil being perpetrated by members
of the inglorious sect on the nation.
While
condoling with the families of the blast victims, and the government and people
of Kano State, the minister promised that the Federal Government would smoke
out the perpetrators and expose their sponsors.
condoling with the families of the blast victims, and the government and people
of Kano State, the minister promised that the Federal Government would smoke
out the perpetrators and expose their sponsors.
Also,
the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of
Biafra, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, warned that Ndigbo would be forced to defend
themselves from the killings in various parts of the North.
the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of
Biafra, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, warned that Ndigbo would be forced to defend
themselves from the killings in various parts of the North.
He
added that the Igbo had been pushed to the wall by the Boko Haram, adding
that the people would have no option but to defend themselves.
added that the Igbo had been pushed to the wall by the Boko Haram, adding
that the people would have no option but to defend themselves.
Uwazuruike
said, “The killings and other senseless activities against Ndigbo must not continue . I know
that it was this type of massacre that brought about the first civil war in
Nigeria; I am disappointed in our people, when they were being slaughtered, I
brought out buses to bring them back home, but they chose to remain
in the North.
said, “The killings and other senseless activities against Ndigbo must not continue . I know
that it was this type of massacre that brought about the first civil war in
Nigeria; I am disappointed in our people, when they were being slaughtered, I
brought out buses to bring them back home, but they chose to remain
in the North.
“What I
did was to safeguard their lives. But I want to advise President Goodluck
Jonathan that there
is a limit to
everything. Ndigbo can no longer continue to allow
themselves to be senselessly killed in the North. I must warn that Ndigbo are not cowards; they will
react if pushed to the wall.”
did was to safeguard their lives. But I want to advise President Goodluck
Jonathan that there
is a limit to
everything. Ndigbo can no longer continue to allow
themselves to be senselessly killed in the North. I must warn that Ndigbo are not cowards; they will
react if pushed to the wall.”
Source: Punch
