Multiple bomb blasts rocked Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, claiming at least 118 lives and 45 injured. The State Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, confirmed the casualty figures. Two of the blasts occurred on Murtala Muhammed Way, close to the old site of the University of Jos.The first blast which happened around 3pm sent vibration which shook most buildings around the vicinity, while the second was heard about 26 minutes later.
Details of the blasts were still sketchy yesterday, but Daily Sun gathered that a vehicle laden with explosives had packed in the area, turned to a makeshift market since the Jos Main market was burnt several years ago.
Immediately, thick smoke was seen bellowing from the scene and this could be sighted many kilometers away.
A spokesperson for the regional governor told AFP news agency that most of the victims were women. The market and bus terminal are part of the commercial centre of Jos.
The second blast was some 30 minutes after the first and killed some rescue workers.
Journalist Hassan Ibrahim told the BBC that tension was rising in the area, with youths blocking some roads. Religious leaders are appealing for calm.
National Emergency Management Agency coordinator Mohammed Abdulsalam said: “We’ve now recovered 118 bodies from the rubble. This could rise by morning, as there is still some rubble we haven’t shifted.” He said 56 people were injured.
