The death toll from a car bomb that exploded on a busy road in Nigeria’s capital on Thursday night has now risen to at least 19, police said on Friday from the city that within days hosts an international conference.
The bomb was detonated near a checkpoint where a massive explosion on April 14 had killed at least 75 people. That blast was claimed by the Boko Haram terrorist network in a video on April 19 that threatened further assaults.
The government is deploying 6,000 police personnel to protect the May 7—9 World Economic Forum on Africa, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as an honoured guest, in Abuja. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan last week assured delegates they would be safe.
The explosion occurred in a working class suburb — just a fifteen-minute drive from the presidential villa and the hotel venue of the conference.
Police Superintendent Frank Mba told reporters on Friday that the toll had gone up to 19 dead with as many wounded being treated in the hospitals. Six cars were burned up in the blast, he added.
Witnesses said a car laden with explosives drove close to the checkpoint and a man jumped out and ran as it blew up. A deafening explosion was followed by smaller ones as other cars caught fire and fuel tanks exploded, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were also found at the scene, according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
