Update on Kaduna Blasts : Death toll rises to 110

►The death toll in the Kaduna explosions, which occurred on Wednesday has risen to 110, with more injured victims being rushed to hospital for treatment, a humanitarian aid official said yesterday.

►Abubakar Zakari Adamu, a spokesperson for the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told reporters that 13 of the severely injured victims died in the hospitals.

Contrary to eye witness account that no fewer than 82 people died in the explosion, he said: “39 persons were killed in the twin bomb blast all together; 34 persons died instantly while two died in the evening of the blast and another three died this morning (yesterday morning) with 37 persons injured and receiving treatment at various hospitals.”

It was gathered that 37 injured victims were receiving treatment at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and security chiefs visited the scenes of the explosions and the hospitals where the survivors were receiving treatment.

Yero cautioned residents to avoid crowded areas, saying terrorists now target such places.

He said the state government would foot the bills of the injured.

Speaking to reporters at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Yero said: “First of all, I will like to thank God Almighty for what he has done for us in Kaduna. In the last two years, we have not had this kind of problem, but everything has its own time. This thing happened yesterday; it is a very sad incident. And whoever is behind this knows that he has no fear of God. This is very unfortunate; it is not supposed to be. So, we are totally condemning this act and we are also calling on people to condemn it and make sure people watch out for what is around them.

“Kaduna people have been very vigilant, but, unfortunately, because of the crowded town we had yesterday, this thing happened. But we know that, by the grace of God, this thing will never happen again. We will continue to do our best and we will continue to pray to God Almighty Allah for what he has done for us.

“We also visited the scenes of the blast. The one that is very major is that of Kawo, because in that one, they used a vehicle. The other is at Alkali Road; it was a suicide bomber and it was an individual.

“We also visited General Buhari, I spoke with him yesterday. We at the Security Council meeting decided in the middle of the meeting to go and see him. So, we went to greet him at home. I also called Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and, as at that time, he was on his way to Saudi Arabia.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure the safety of everyone, but we need the support of the general public. It is no longer business-as-usual.

“If you look at this issue critically, you will discover that people just want to create problem and ensure there is crisis in Kaduna State and Nigeria generally. So, people must rise up and understand that it is no longer the issue of religion. It is no longer issue of politics. This is an issue of lives and property of people.