President Goodluck Jonathan has visited Nyanya motor park, Abuja, which was this morning rocked by a twin bomb that killed scores of innocent people. Jonathan had earlier expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the bombing. He also cancelled a scheduled trip to the south-west state of Oyo to join in celebrations of the centenary of the paramount ruler of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana.

A somber-looking Jonathan was accompanied on the visit by the service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, Senate President David mark and other top government officials.

“President Jonathan has ordered heightened security in Abuja following Nyanya bombing,” his spokesman Reuben Abati had earlier said in a short statement.

“President Jonathan extends his heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. President Jonathan directs the medical services to do their very best to save the lives of those injured in Nyanya bombing,” Abati further said.

Abbas Idris, head of the Abuja Emergency Relief Agency, confirmed 71 people dead and 124 injured in the twin blasts that rocked the crowded bus station.

However, some eyewitnesses who have been recounting their experiences on social media networks quote up to 200 dead. News Express, which was among the first to report the blast, earlier indicated that at least 50 persons were left dead in the incident.

The first of its kind in Abuja since 2012, this is believed to be another attack by the Islamist militant group known as Boko Haram.

•Photo shows President Jonathan (in shirt) and his delegation at the scene of the bomb blast.