25 Killed, 32 Others Injured in Zaria Explosion

No fewer than 25 people lost their lives in an
explosion that rocked Zaria, Kaduna state
yesterday.
Thirty Two others sustained various degree of
injuries and were rushed to the Ahmadu Bello
University Teaching Hospital, Shika for treatment.
The bomb was said to have exploded at about
9:45 am yesterday at the secretariat of Sabon
Gari Local Government where hundreds of people
had gathered for the workers verification exercise
being embarked upon by the state government.
Eye witness said the bomb exploded in the middle
of the crowd that had gathered at the council
secretariat for the exercise.
Abdullahi Aliyu who said he narrowly escape
death, explained that the crowd was so large that
it was difficult to say how the bomb was
detonated.
"It exploded in the middle of the crowd, I am not
in a position to say whether it was a suicide
bomber or the bomb was planted there. It just
exploded and the whole place was thrown into
confusion as people started scampering for
safety" he said.
The Kaduna state government in a statement
condemned the incident describing it as wicked
and evil.
The statement which was signed by the Special
Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Mr. Samuel
Aruwan confirmed that 25 people were killed by
the blast while 32 others were wounded.
"The city of Zaria today suffered a terrible act of
infamy. Terrorists detonated explosives that killed
and injured several persons at the secretariat of
the Sabon-Gari local government council.
"The casualty count as at 12 noon is 25 fatalities,
including a two-year old child. Thirty-two injured
persons are being treated at the Ahmadu Bello
University Teaching Hospital, Zaria and other
hospitals in the city.
“The blast went off as the residents welcomed the
new chairman of the interim management
committee of the local government to his office at
the secretariat. Some local government staff from
Lere and Ikara were also undergoing biometric
verification at the venue.
“The Kaduna State Government has expressed its
sadness at this mindless attack on our citizens. It
has condoled with the victims and is coordinating
the treatment of the survivors" the statement
said.
Also governor El-Rufai who visited the scene of
the incident, expressed sympathy the victims and
relations of those who died and prayed Allah to
grant the souls of the deceased victims peaceful
repose.
The governor called on citizens of the state to be
very vigilant and report suspicious characters to
community leaders and security agents.
The governor also announced that extra security
personnel were being deployed across the state
and urged the people of the state to shun large
gatherings but, where that is impossible, to
exercise and practise maximum vigilance and
vigorous checks on persons, vehicles and
luggage.
Meanwhile in order to enhance public security, the
state government yesterday announced the
banning of street begging and hawking.
The state government in a statement by the
spokesman of the governor, Mr. Samuel Aruwan
said "all beggars and hawkers are to stay off the
streets until further notice. Any beggar or hawker
found on the streets will be arrested, until these
measures are relaxed".
The government further reiterated the ban on
commercial motorcycle popularly known as
Okada, warning that the law will be strictly
enforced.