A suspected suicide bomber was killed on Monday afternoon in an attempted infiltration of the Mogadishu Cantonment, popularly known as Abacha Barracks, in Abuja, after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) he was carrying detonated prematurely.
Military sources said the incident occurred at approximately 2:14 p.m. beneath the pedestrian bridge near the entrance to the barracks, close to a routine checkpoint where passengers are typically dropped off before taking tricycles into the facility.
According to one of the sources, the suspect had alighted from a Volkswagen Golf vehicle and was walking towards the checkpoint when his suspicious movements attracted the attention of a military police officer on duty. The officer reportedly stopped him and requested that he step back for proper identification.
"As he moved a few meters away, the IED he was carrying exploded, killing him instantly and injuring two others," the source said.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident via a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating: "Explosion At Bus Stop Opposite Mogadishu Cantonment Abuja. Situation Under Control. Details Later."
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Onyechi Anele, for additional comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, also confirmed the explosion in a statement, noting that it occurred along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass at around 2:50 p.m.
She said officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit were immediately deployed to the scene to secure the area and conduct a detailed sweep.
“One male victim was rescued at the scene and promptly taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” Adeh added.
She further stated that a comprehensive investigation, including forensic analysis, had commenced to determine the exact nature and motive behind the explosion.
The police urged residents of the FCT to remain calm but vigilant, assuring that there was no cause for alarm. Citizens were also encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, and 07057337653.
