The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the explosion that rocked the Mogadishu Barracks area, along the Mararaba-Nyanya Expressway in Abuja on Monday afternoon, was the result of a suicide bombing attempt.
The blast occurred at approximately 2:50 pm when an individual wearing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attempted to gain unauthorized entry into the Mogadishu Army Cantonment.
The device detonated during the infiltration attempt, killing the suspect instantly and injuring a nearby passerby.
NEMA reported that it swiftly activated its emergency response protocol. First responders arrived promptly at the scene, which had already been cordoned off by heavily armed security personnel.
The injured civilian was evacuated to the National Hospital Abuja by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Preliminary information indicates that the suicide bomber was attempting to infiltrate the barracks when the IED exploded,” NEMA stated in a press release on Tuesday.
The coordinated emergency operation, which concluded at 5:29 pm, involved multiple agencies, including the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Eyewitnesses at the scene, including military personnel, initially described the explosion as emanating from a rubber container possibly triggered by a mobile phone device.
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However, NEMA’s findings have since identified the incident as a failed suicide bombing involving a wearable IED.
According to Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, forensic experts are conducting a detailed investigation to confirm the exact cause and components of the explosion.
“At approximately 2:50 pm, the FCT Police Command received a distress call regarding the blast. Our EOD unit promptly secured the area to protect residents and commuters while investigations commenced,” Adeh said.
She emphasized that the area remains under surveillance and that a comprehensive forensic analysis is ongoing.
“There is no cause for alarm at the moment,” she reassured.
“We urge residents of Abuja to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspicious persons, objects, or activities immediately.”
This incident has heightened security awareness in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly along the Mararaba-Nyanya corridor, a heavily trafficked route often considered a security flashpoint.
Authorities are urging citizens to stay informed, cooperate with security agencies, and remain alert as the investigation unfolds.