A bomb blast has occurred at popular shopping mall, Emab Plaza on Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2 in Abuja.
The explosion apparently occurred at the gate of the busy plaza.
According to Premium Times Emergency officials are still evacuating the injured and bodies to Maitama District Hospital and are requesting for more ambulances at Maitama District hospital “to transfer victims to other hospitals.”
As a result of the number of casualties it has been reported that some victims are receiving treatment outside the hospital premises.
Meanwhile the medical Director at the Maitama General Hospital confirmed 12 dead and 35 injured with at least 30 bodies with three completely dismembered, several others injured and many cars burnt in the bomb blast.
The Nigeria Police spokesperson, Frank Mba who has arrived the blast scene has confirmed it was a bomb explosion saying: ‘Our most important assignment now is to secure lives, secure crime scene,” he said.
He, however could not say the nature and type of the explosive used or confirm the number of casualties but he has appealed to Abuja residents to stay away from explosion area while stressing that the police is working with other security and emergency officials at the scene.
Authorities are the scene of the blast are yet to confirm the mode of the attack. Although some traders claimed blast went off in a car that was driving into the mall, others claim the bombers rode on a bike and threw-in the explosive before speeding away.
More senior police officials have continued to arrive at the scene of the bomb blast.
Meanwhile a police officer have lamented the laack of security at the plaza saying: “Nothing, they don’t search cars, booths, anybody can just drive in,” he said.
The bomb blast is coming some months after an explosion rocked Nyanya in Abuja in May which left many dead and several others injured.