Photos: Bomb Blast Rock Police Headquarters Abuja, IG May have Been Target

ABUJA, June 16, (THEWILL) - Barely two days after the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim boasted that the days of the Islamic sect Boko Haram were numbered in the country, the Nigeria Police was this morning almost brought to its knees as a deadly bomb hidden in a car exploded at about 10. 35 a.m. shortly after the IG was driven into the Force Headquarters premises.

Although, no official statement has been made by the police over the dastardly incident as at press time, sources at the Louis Edet House, housing the Force headquarters reveal that at least three persons may have died and several others injured as a result of the blast even as several vehicles were burnt.

Eye witnesses told THEWILL that at about 10.35 this morning when the IG was driving to work, an unusual car was noticed trailing his convoy as he was about entering the office complex. The car, our sources said was carrying the bomb and it could not be ascertained who was driving it and how it succeeded in gaining entrance into the Force headquarters.

According to the information, the car carrying the bomb was heading towards the direction of the IG’s convoy before it was intercepted by an officer believed to have died alongside the driver of the offending car when the bomb exploded and the car went into flames.

Although, details of the extent of damage and the perpetrators of the act are still hazy, the Police have blocked all roads leading to the area causing serious traffic congestion within the city. As a result, security has been tightened within the city especially for those passing around the Federal Secretariat, the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly, as people are being searched thoroughly by a combined of team of security personnel.

While victims of the blast are said to have been taken to the Asokoro and Maitama Districts General Hospitals, rescue officials are still at the scene trying to examine the debris. The police, it is gathered would soon make an official statement about the incident.