Breaking News: 50 Die In Jos Bomb Blasts -Police

Scores of traders and customers were killed and many more wounded in the twin bomb blasts in the heart of Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Tuesday.

The twin blasts occurred along the busy Muritala Mohammed Way, very close to the old site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Independent but unconfirmed sources said the casualty figure from the explosions might climb above 100 persons from the 50 some believed were killed on Tuesday.

This figure by eyewitness however contrasted with that given by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, who said 46 people were killed while 45 other were wounded.

The first bomb, which was said to have been detonated by s suicide bomber in a Fiat car happened at about 3pm when the market was at its peak.

The second blast went off in a Sienna space bus, parked about 20 metres away from the site of the first explosion.
Eyewitness said the bomber in the Fiat car stopped it abruptly along the busy Muritala Mohammed Highway, very close to the burnt Jos Main market, left it for minutes to obstruct traffic and cause enough build-up of cars behind.

He was said to have returned shortly after and detonated the bomb.

However as people gathered to assist victims, some hoodlums allegedly started looting shops and burning cars.

While the confusion was said to be going on, some youths noticed a Sienna space bus that was parked some distance away and went for it.

One of them allegedly put a light under the car and immediately it exploded, consuming all of them.

There was utter pandemonium all over the large market as traders scrambled to close their shops.

Cars that tried to make a quick U-turn were trapped.

One of the eyewitnesses, who identified himself simply as Suleiman, told our correspondent that he was one of the few people that arrived at the scene and started helping the victims.

The eyewitness, who had all his clothes soaked in blood, said for more than 20 minutes after the incident, there was no help from anybody as even the security agencies, guarding the Jos Main Market and policemen, attached to a police post inside the burnt market, took to their heels.

He said, “I was in the place when the explosion happened. I ran to the place and there was no security around to assist. Immediately, two other people joined me and we started to help those injured while we left those already dead.

“The fire from the blast could not allow us to go near and help more people. This is terrible. I have never seen this kind of a thing before.”

Police Commissioner in the state, Chris Olakpe, who addressed newsmen after the incident, said the casualty figure was not definite as there were possibilities of more casualties.

He said the figure was obtained from the Plateau Specialist Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, where most of the victims were taken to.

Olakpe added that the final figure would be arrived at when other hospitals were visited.

He said, “At about 3pm, I was in my office when I heard a loud explosion around the Terminus area. I immediately mobilised and moved to the area and just about 20 minutes later, the second explosion went off.”

Source:Punchng.com