• 27 May, 2025
• FAITH MIMDOO KEGH
• No comment

Explosion Near Abuja Barracks Claims One Life.

An explosion occurred on Monday near t

he Mogadishu Cantonment, commonly known as Abacha Barracks, along the Abuja-Nyanya Road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), resulting in one fatality.

Although official statements from the military and police did not confirm any deaths, video evidence from the scene showed the body of a man being moved into a security vehicle. The incident, which happened around 2:35 p.m., caused widespread panic among residents and commuters.

The location of the blast is a high-security area surrounded by military checkpoints and residential buildings, including homes of senior officials. It is also close to the Nigerian Air Force Valley Estate and Navy Town.

Eyewitnesses reported that the man suspected to be carrying the explosive had attempted to enter the barracks since the previous day. According to a source, he exited a vehicle near the pedestrian bridge by the cantonment entrance. When his behavior raised suspicion, military police instructed him to step back. Moments later, an improvised explosive device (IED) he was carrying detonated, killing him and injuring two others. The injured are being treated at the Defence Military Hospital.

The Nigerian Army, through its official social media account, acknowledged the explosion, assuring the public that the situation was under control. The FCT Police Command also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was dispatched, and the area was secured for further investigation. Forensic analysis is ongoing to determine the nature and cause of the blast.

Security has since been heightened at military installations across the capital. A senior police officer noted that directives had been issued to enhance vigilance around military and strategic locations.

Security expert Abdullahi Garba criticized the recurring lapses, emphasizing the need for more proactive measures. He warned that the increasing frequency of such incidents indicates regression in national security efforts.

  History of Bomb Attacks in Abuja:
Abuja has witnessed multiple bombings in the past:

    October 1, 2010:  Twin car bombs during Independence Day celebrations killed 12 and injured 17.
     June 16, 2011:  Suicide bombing at Police Headquarters killed two.
    August 26, 2011: Attack on UN building killed 21.
    December 25, 2011: St. Theresa’s Church bombing in nearby Madalla killed at least 35.
    April 14, 2014: Nyanya bus station bombing left 88 dead and over 200 injured.
    January 6, 2025:  Blast at an Islamic school in Bwari killed two.

These attacks, many claimed by terrorist groups, highlight persistent security threats in the nation’s capital.

FAITH MIMDOO KEGH

Manager – Oversees the daily operations, editorial planning, and strategic direction of the platform. A graduate with a solid academic foundation in media and communication, Faith brings a wealth of experience to the TokinPoint.

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