The Nigerian Army has confirmed an explosion that occurred on Monday near the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, resulting in the death of a suspected suicide bomber and injuring another individual. The Army has assured the public that the situation is under control.
In a brief statement posted to its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Army wrote:
“BREAKING NEWS: Explosion at bus stop opposite Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja. Situation under control, details later…”
According to a report by Hobnob News Nigeria, the blast, which happened at a bus stop opposite the barracks, was believed to have been triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED). Witnesses said the explosive appeared to be contained in a rubber can, and that the man carrying it was killed instantly.
An eyewitness — a military personnel who declined to be named — identified the deceased as a suspected suicide bomber. However, military officials at the scene offered a conflicting account, suggesting the explosion might have been caused by a phone device rather than a conventional IED.
Security forces, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), quickly responded to the incident, cordoning off the area and launching a preliminary investigation.
Authorities have yet to provide a definitive statement on the cause of the explosion, and investigations are ongoing. The incident has raised fresh concerns about public safety and potential terror threats in the nation’s capital.
Residents have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, as security agencies work to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
