An okada rider has told Nigeria’s government-owned news agency, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that he saw the moment an unidentified man threw the bomb that blew up Nyanya motor park yesterday morning in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

The commercial motorcyclist, who gave his name as Wahad, told NAN that he saw a man throw a bag containing the bomb into the congested park.

“I was conveying a passenger to the park this morning when I saw a man throw a big black bag into the park; the next thing I saw was explosion,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Another eyewitness, David Lukman, however, said that the bomb was planted in a car at the park. “I am very sure the bomb was either planted at the park last night or a suicide bomber posing as passenger entered one of the cars with it,” he said.

Nigeria’s Health Ministry says 72 people died in the dastardly rush hour attack while 164 were injured. Unofficial sources, however, put the death toll at over 200. Most of the victims were workers leaving the suburbs for the city centre, petty traders, motorists and passersby.

Police Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, confirmed that 16 high capacity buses, some cars and motorcycles were affected in the explosion. He said that the police are working with other security agencies to investigate the bombing.

President Goodluck Jonathan said during a visit to the bomb scene that the Boko Haram problem is temporary. His words: “You can see that I am here with the Senate President, David Mark and Chairman of PDP, Ministers, Chief of Defence Staff as well as Service Chiefs, and other very senior government functionaries. Let us collectively express our condolences to the families of those who suffered directly from the incident.

“I am also commending security services for their prompt action. Though we lost quite a number of people, we condole with our countrymen and women. We will continue to work very hard. The issue of Boko Haram is temporary.”

He said if people are observant and are security conscious, the incidents of attacks will be reduced. The President later visited some of the victims who are receiving treatment at the Asokoro General Hospital.

He was conducted round the emergency ward of the hospital by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Abubakar Adamu, where the President directed the hospital management to offer adequate medical attention t the injured.

Boko Haram has so far launched seven successful attacks within and around the Nigerian capital city. The first was during the October 1, 2010 Independence Day celebration, followed by the Modagishu (Abacha) Barracks bombing of December 2010, United Nations Headquarters Building bombing in 2011, Police Headquarters bombing of June 2011, as well as THISDAY and Madalla (Suleja) Catholic Church bombings of 2012.

•Photo shows President Jonathan visiting the bomb blast victims . . . yesterday in Abuja.

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