Suicide bombers kill 16 in Jos

No fewer than 16 people were killed when two suicide bombers detonated bombs on Thursday at Terminus area of Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Security sources told our correspondent that the two bombs went off in quick succession around 6.30pm, from the two bombers who carried the lethal weapons in two sacks pretending to be traders.

It was not immediately established whether the bombers were male or female.

It was learnt that the first blast went off at about 6.30 pm in front of the popular Mr. Biggs eatery situated at the busy Terminus area of the end of the Ahmadu Bello Way.

The second one targeted at some traders at the junction leading to Bauchi Road from Muritala Mohammed Way, just opposite the demolished 'Mama Tapgun' statue near the burnt Jos Main market, exploded few minutes later.

The statue was erected by the administration of a former second civilian governor of the state, Fidelis Tapgun, but was demolished by Governor Jonah Jang, who said that it ridiculed the dignity of Plateau women.

This is the second time in 2014 that the area would be attacked by suicide bombers.

More than 200 people were killed when two bombs went off around the same area on May 20.

The state Police Public Relations Officers, Deputy Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed the Thursday's incident. But he said that casualty figure had yet to be ascertained.

However, security sources said that the number of those that died in the blasts was as high as 16 and could be more.

The source said that casualties were more from the second blast.

This may not be far from the truth as Terminus is usually heavily populated in the evenings when traders who had been sacked from the area usually return to do business.

It also serves as a park for commuters rushing home after close of work or business.

Attempts by the state government to relocate the traders from the area had been met with stiff resistance from traders.

But the government had used the opportunity of the May 20 twin explosions around the same area to relocate the traders.

The government has also refused to open the road from Muritala Mohammed Way to Terminus area, leading to Bauchi road, in readiness for the planned demolition of shops around the area

But the traders, who had gone to court to stop the government from carrying out the exercise, returned after few months when security agents appeared to have relaxed their patrol of the area.