Bomb in Nigerian political rally kills 10

Bomb in Nigerian political rally kills 10

2011-03-04 11:33:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

ABUJA, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) --At least 10 people died and more than 20 injured after two explosions rocked a political rally on Thursday in Nigeria, officials said.

Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was carrying out a senatorial rally in a government secondary school in Suleja, Niger State, located in the eastern part of the country, but at around 1:30 p.m. local time, shortly after the national anthem was finalized, a hand grenade was thrown over a fence.

According to witnesses, the grenade was thrown from a white 18-seater bus.

Niger State Governor Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, along with other PDP officials were present at the rally, but they were able to escape without any injuries.

Only 20 minutes later, a second explosion blasted right where the governor's convoy vehicles were parked.

As people panicked and fled the scene while local shops closed immediately, seven bodies were found scattered at the scene. The injured were rushed to local hospitals, but three others later succumbed to their wounds. The Suleja General Hospital said 21 people were critically injured.

Local authorities cordoned off the area and began conducting investigations immediately after the incident.

Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida condemned the explosions, and Governor Aliyu declared a three-day mourning period to pray for those who died.

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