WATCH THE VIDEO HERE THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that the explosion near Mogadishu Army Cantonment on the Abuja-Keffi Road was an attempted suicide bombing. Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike explained that the incident involved an individual who unknowingly stole an explosive from a quarry. The explosive reportedly detonated while he was in transit. He emphasized that Abuja remains the safest city in Nigeria and assured the public of his administration’s commitment to sustaining security. Wike’s account directly contradicts NEMA’s earlier statement, which alleged that a suicide bomber wearing an improvised explosive device (IED) tried to infiltrate the army barracks. According to NEMA, the device exploded at around 1:47 pm on Monday, killing the bomber and injuring a passerby. NEMA stated that their emergency response team, alongside military and security agencies, arrived at the scene—already cordoned off by stern-looking security personnel. The police also confirmed that a detailed forensic investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Despite conflicting reports, authorities continue to investigate the incident to uncover the full facts surrounding the blast.
FCT: Wike disputes NEMA report, says blast was not a suicide bombing
