25 Killed, 32 Others Injured in Zaria Explosion

No fewer than 25 people lost their lives in an explosion that rocked Zaria, Kaduna state tuesday.
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 tuesday 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".