Bomb Blasts in Jos Leave at Least 118 Dead in Nigerian...
Nigeria’s Central city of Jos was struck by two bomb explosions that left at least 118 people dead.
Nigeria’s central city of Jos was struck by Two Bomb explosions IN Nigeria’s central city of Jos left at least 118 people dead, according to emergency services.
The blasts went off in succession in a crowded street in the main business district of the Plateau state capital yesterday, Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe told reporters.
Ezekiel Manzo, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, said 118 people were killed and at least 65 wounded. The number of injured may be higher because “the blast was in a crowded place and some wounded may have been taken elsewhere,” he said by phone from Abuja, the capital. There was no immediate report of any group claiming responsibility.
Nigerian security forces are struggling to contain an insurgency by the Boko Haram Islamist extremist group, which is seeking to extend its violent campaign to impose Islamic law beyond its northeastern heartland. Boko Haram is holding almost 300 schoolgirls it abducted last month hostage, provoking global outrage and an international rescue effort.
Yesterday’s attack was the second bombing of a Nigerian city in three days, after five people were killed in a May 18 suicide bombing in the northern city of Kano.
President Goodluck Jonathan “strongly condemns the bomb blasts in Jos,” the Nigerian presidency said in an e-mailed statement. “He has also directed all relevant agencies to mobilize support and relief efforts in aid of the victims.”
