Thursday night’s terror attack on Nyanya – the second in less than tnree weeks – led to 12 deaths, according to official estimate, meaning 196 persons living in and around Abuja have lost their lives since October 2010 when the first attack was recorded. The April 14 Nyanya attack killed 75, by official estimate, although other estimates are as high as 84. The first attack attack was a bold statement by Boko Haram — the sect later claimed responsibility for it — that it had not been entirely “pushed to the fringes” as President Goodluck Jonathan recently claimed. Here is the gory list of attacks in and around the Federal Capital Territory.
2010 Independence Day bombing
Abuja experienced its first terrorist attack on 1st October 2010, when two car bombs exploded near the Eagle Square, where a crowd had converged to celebrate the country’s 50th Independence anniversary. According to a report by Associated Press (AP) the following day, 12 people died while 17 others were wounded. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had issued a warning less than an hour before the bombs went off that it would strike at the heart of the city; and security authorities subsequently blamed MEND for the attack.
2010 New Year’s Eve
blast In the evening of 31st December 2010, a bomb exploded at Barracks’ Market, killing 30 people and wounding another 13 — according to figures published by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). However, the Police disputed the figures, claiming the casualty toll was overestimated. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.
In the evening of 31st December 2010, a bomb exploded at Barracks’ Market, killing 30 people and wounding another 13 — according to figures published by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). However, the Police disputed the figures, claiming the casualty toll was overestimated. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.
2011 Christmas Day Madalla blast
On December 25, 2011, Boko Haram, in its customarily vicious manner, executed an attack at St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, a town Niger State but every close to Abuja. Worshippers were exiting the church for their homes when explosions occurred, killing 37 of them and injuring 57 more, as confirmed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Attempted assassination of IGP Ringim
And then on 16th June 2011, Abuja witnessed its first case of suicide bombing. A Boko Haram suicide bomber trailed the convoy of then Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim to the Police Headquarters. Security stopped him from travelling any further into the premises, consequently leaving him with no option but to detonate the bomb. A policeman was believed to have died, but Police authorities said there were more casualties.
2011 UN Building blast
The bombing of the United Nations building on August 26, 2011 followed. In what was a tactically orchestrated Boko Haram attack, 21 people were killed while 73 were wounded. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) put the figure of the dead at 18.
2012 THISDAY bombing
Having successfully perpetrated a suicide bombing, Boko Haram adopted the same fashion on April 26, 2012 to attack the office of THISDAY Publishing Company in Jabi, killing two security men.
Finally, Nyanya I & II… On April 14, 2014, the terror group launched yet another attack — this time on commuters at the densely populated motor park in Nyanya, on the outskirts of Abuja. It is still unclear if the attack was executed by a suicide bomber or through a timed device. In all, 75 people were officially confirmed dead while 125 people were injured. With 12 persons confirmed dead in the May Day blast, the published casualty figures of all the terror incidents in and around Abuja show that a total of 194 people have been killed since October 1, 2010. But it is popular knowledge that these figures are conservative; they could be higher, as security agents are known to underestimate figures, while there is inadequate media coverage for injured victims who die in hospitals days after attacks.