Democracy Day’s Explosion, Panic In Abuja:How It Happened

Friday, 30 May 2014 Democracy Day’s Explosion, Panic In Abuja:How It Happened An explosion rocked Kurudu, another Satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) along the Jikwoyi-Nyanya axis, Thursday morning sending residents scampering for safety. The blast, which occurred around 9.30am when most residents were still at home in line with the Democracy Day Public Holiday caused panic with many fearing for the worse, after suffering two deadly bombings at Nyanya within a space of two weeks. The news of the blast, initially thought to be a terrorist bombing quickly spread panic amongst residents of Karshi, Kurudu, Jikwoyi, Karu, Nyanya and other surrounding areas. However, authorities were quick to douse the tension, explaining that the explosion was a controlled one by a construction company to blast a rock. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig-Gen. Olajide Olaleye explained that it was a “controlled blast” to blow up a rock close to the Army Post-Housing Estate, Kurudu. Laleye said that the rock had been blocking a new road being constructed from Karishi to Apo, to ease grueling traffic jam along the now unpredictably dangerous Abuja-Keffi Express way. He however, clarified that the residents of the Estate were informed about the blast.