Twin explosions hit Jos park, kill 12

At least, 12 persons were killed and scores of others injured as two separate bombs exploded in Jos on Thursday. The first bomb went off at the Bauchi Road motor park, adjacent to the Bauchi road campus of the University of Jos at about 4.30pm, while the second one occurred almost simultaneously in front of the UNIJOS gate.

It was gathered that the second targeted the students, who were just trooping out of the school after the day’s lectures.

The students resumed on Monday and started their second semester examinations after the school was closed down in November last year following students protest.

It was not exactly known the spot where the second bomb went off.

While one report said it exploded opposite Shemsak Hotel, a spot frequented by the students and which is directly opposite the Faculty of Medical Sciences, other reports said it went off in front of a pharmacy, opposite the school gate.

Most of the victims were said to be taking shelter from a downpour, which started at about 3.45pm, the first in the city of Jos this year.

Another source said the blast at the Bauchi Road motor park was carried out by a female suicide bomber, who entered the park wearing a Hijab.

Executive President of Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, quoting security sources, put the casualty figure at 12, but a student of the school, who identified herself as Grace, said the figure could be higher.

According to her, when the bomb exploded, there was confusion in the campus as students ran helter skelter.

She added that there was also traffic jam along the busy Bauchi road as motorists hurriedly turned back to escape the commotion.

She said, “Because it was raining, everybody was trying to take shield and so nobody noticed the bomber.”

A source told our correspondent that he saw Hilux vehicles carrying some persons to the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos.

Both the spokesmen for the Special Task Force, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, and the police, Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed the blast.

They  said security men were still assessing the situation as both the dead and the injured were being conveyed to hospital.