Over 200 feared dead as explosion rocks Nigerian capital, Abuja

More than 200 people are feared dead in an explosion which rocked an outskirts of Abuja, the Nigerian capital, this morning.

The explosion sounded in a highly populated motor park in Nyanya, less than five minutes drive from the Abuja city Centre.

It is not clear yet how the bomb was ferried into the park, but witnesses suspect it was planted by a suicide bomber.

Several dead bodies now litter the blood spattered park and the expressway leading to the city.

Some of the dead victims and the injured are being taken to hospital by ambulances and vans belonging to the police, the Vehicle Inspection Office, Federal Road Safety Commission, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the National Emergency Management Agency.

Our reporter counted more than 50 bodies that were yet to be evacuated. But witnesses said more than 150 bodies may have been moved before our reporter’s arrival.

Some of the bodies are mangled beyond recognition.

Several vehicles, including about 12 government-owned high capacity buses operated by the Abuja Mass Transit Company Limited, were destroyed in the attack.

Some of the buses were said to be loaded with passengers when the explosion occurred.

Ambulance moving victims to hospital

Some of the images we have are too offensive. We are unable to post them here.

09.06

Ambulances and security vans are still making repeated trips from the the scene of the blast to Asokoro hospital, ferrying both victims and bodies.

Details later.