- October 2010 Abuja attacks
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2010 Nigeria Independence Day attacks Location Abuja, Nigeria Date October 1, 2010 (GMT+1) Target Crowds celebrating 50th anniversary of Nigeria's Independence Attack type Car bombing Death(s) 12 Injured 17 Suspected perpetrator Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta The October 2010 Abuja attacks otherwise 2010 Nigeria Independence Day attacks, were two car bombings carried out against crowds celebrating the fiftieth anniversary (golden jubilee) of Nigeria's independence in the capital city of Abuja on the morning of 1 October, 2010. The attacks left 12 dead and 17 injured. According to multiple sources[1][2], the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a warning less than an hour before the first bomb stating the location, near Eagle Square (-the venue of the celebration), and the time, around 10:30 a.m., of planned bombings.[3]
The first blast occurred around 10:30 a.m., and the second shortly afterwards, after emergency services had arrived at the scene.[2]
Reactions and investigation
Bold indicates attacks resulting in over 50 deaths
2009: Nigerian sectarian violence – 2010: Bauchi prison break – 1st Abuja – 2nd Abuja – 2011: Northern Nigeria bombings – 3rd Abuja (Police HQ) – 4th Abuja (UN building) – Damaturu bombings –Part of the Nigerian Sharia conflictA former leader of MEND, Henry Okah, was arrested in South Africa following the twin car bombings.[4] He was accused of terror. Okah denied accusations of planning the bombings. He was disowned by MEND.[5] Police in Nigeria also detained Raymond Dokpesi, campaign manager for former Nigerian leader Ibrahim Babangida, for questioning over the bombing. Dokpesi was later released and said his arrest was political in nature.[6]
Nigerian paper This Day reported that British intelligence was warned of a plot against the 50th anniversary celebrations, and this was the reason Gordon Brown and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester cancelled their trips to Nigeria for the celebration.[7]
References
- ^ Associated Press (2010-10-02). "Nigeria: Death toll in bombings rises to 12". Google News. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gvgoR9HxBelMIiC4cEZFJOjMkrFwD9IJIUK00?docId=D9IJIUK00. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
- ^ a b BBC News (2010-10-02). "UK VIPs pulled out ahead of deadly Nigeria parade". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11458674. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
- ^ Weate, Jeremy (2010-10-01). "Nigeria explosion: Independence celebrations marred by violence". The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2010/1001/Nigeria-explosion-Independence-celebrations-marred-by-violence. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
- ^ Nigeria ex-rebel leader Okah arrested after Abuja blast
- ^ Suspect in Nigeria Blast Disowned by Niger Delta Militants
- ^ Nigeria: My Ordeal With SSS Over Abuja Bombings, By Dokpesi
- ^ Nigeria: British Intelligence Warned of Attacks
Categories:- 2010 in Nigeria
- Terrorist incidents in 2010
- Abuja
- Terrorist incidents in Nigeria
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