It was horror and condemnation galore yesterday in the wake of the bomb blast that rocked the United Nation’s building in Abuja, claiming at least 18 lives.
The four-storey building housing the various offices and departments of the United Nations (UN) in the Central District of Abuja was ravaged by a bomb blast carried out by a suspected suicide bomber.
The blast occurred around 10.30 am. According to the police, 18 people were killed, though unconfirmed reports said the casualty figure was much higher than that. A top official of the Federal Road Safety Commission put the figure at 20.
Over 60 others were seriously injured while the UN building was also badly damaged. Those injured were immediately rushed to the National Hospital almost opposite the UN house.
Sources said over 400 people work at the UN building, which houses at least 26 humanitarian bodies and agencies.
A troubled UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, said he had dispatched two top officials of the global body to Nigeria to meet with the government over the bomb attack.
Reacting to the attack at a media stakeout held at the UN headquarters in New York, Ki-moon who read a statement said he had asked the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, and UN Security Chief, Under-Secretary-General Gregory Starrto, to go to Nigeria immediately to meet with Nigerian authorities.
Meanwhile, a report on the British Broadcasting Corporation said a spokesman of the militant Islamic group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, which now suggests that western bodies are now targets of its attacks.
“More attacks are on the way, and by the will of Allah we will have unfettered access to wherever we want to attack,” the spokesman, Abu Darda, said by phone. “We have more than 100 men who are willing to lay down their lives for the cause of Allah.”
THISDAY learnt an alleged suicide bomber rammed his Honda SUV laced with explosives into the building, resulting in the blast.
The alleged bomber was said to have defied all attempts by Kings Guard Security officials, on duty at the premises, to prevent him from entering the building.
It was learnt that the alleged bomber forced his way into the ground floor of the building, where the reception is located.
One of the guards, who spoke with THISDAY, said the blast occurred a few seconds after the man drove directly into the ground floor.
The loud bang that followed threw the entire building into confusion with several persons including top diplomats, other officials and visitors around running helter-skelter.
The blast immediately set the ground floor ablaze.
While declaring the dastardly incident as an attack on those who devote their lives to helping others, Ki-moon said he was mobilizing the UN system to respond to the emergency.
The UN chief also condemned the attack and said he was going to put a call across to President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue.
The full text of his statement read: “Around 11:00 o’clock this morning, local time, the United Nations House in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, was struck by a car bomb. These buildings house 26 humanitarian and development agencies of the United Nations family.
“This was an assault on those who devote their lives to helping others. We condemn this terrible act, utterly. We do not yet have precise casualty figures but they are likely to be considerable. A number of people are dead; many more are wounded. Nigerian and international search and rescue teams have mobilized and are moving the wounded to hospitals and providing emergency aid.
“I am asking the Deputy UN Secretary-General, Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, to go to Nigeria immediately and I am mobilizing the UN system to respond to this emergency. She will be accompanied by the UN security chief, Under-Secretary-General Gregory Starr, and meet with Nigerian authorities upon arrival in Abuja.
“I am going to call President (Goodluck) Jonathan of Nigeria soon. On this very sad occasion, I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. The United Nations will undertake every possible effort to assist them during this difficult time.”
When asked what he thinks was the motive of this attack against the UN, he said, “We’ll have to get a full assessment of the situation. That is why I am dispatching the Deputy Secretary-General and the DSS (Department of Safety and Security) Under-Secretary-General. We will let you know soon.
On whether he believes the security threat in Nigeria had assumed international dimension, he simply said: “I am sorry; at this time, I do not have any detailed information to share with you. Therefore, I hope we’ll have another opportunity to discuss this matter with you. Thank you very much.”
Shortly after addressing the press, the UN scribe headed for the Security Council Chamber where he briefed the 15-member council on the attack on the UN building in Abuja.
Ambassador Rice, in Her Twitter Post, US Permanent Repres-entative at the UN, Susan Rice, in her Twitter post last night, said victims of the attack in Nigeria were ordinary people doing extra-ordinary work.