Abuja blasts: 20 dead, 41 injured, says FG

The Federal Government has confirmed the death of 20 persons, with 41 others injured from the Abuja blasts. The government also advocated for inter-agency collaboration in emergency situations in the country. The Director of Family Planning in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Wapada Balami, said these at a press briefing in Abuja. Balami, who is also acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said, “In the Kuje bomb blast, a total number of 15 persons have been recorded dead and at the Nyanya bomb blast, a total number of five persons have been recorded. “The total number of injured persons hospitalised by the first responders are as follows: in Kuje, a total of twenty persons and in Nyanya, a total of 21 persons.” He further said hospitals in which the injured persons were admitted had exhibited professionalism, while patients were being given the best treatment. Balami noted that combined team work of the agencies would continue to work in partnership to reduce the rate of insecurity. He stated that families of the affected have been contacted. “Inter-agencies collaboration will continue to work in partnership to prevent future occurrences,” he added. However, the government on Saturday insisted that it was defeating the insurgents and maintained that before the end of December, the sect will be wiped out of Nigeria. Lawal said, “We want to encourage Nigerians not to despair because we know the insurgents are being defeated and they are on their death row, which is why they are clutching at souls to discourage Nigerians. “But as the President has directed and as the security agents have assured, come December, we would have gotten rid of this menace.” In his reaction, the CDS, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, said security operatives would start to reappraise their strategies and regretted that the insurgents were now hitting soft targets. He said, “Let me also add to what the SGF has said; that we commiserate with the families of those who have lost their dear ones. “And as for the security agencies, we will begin to reappraise our security infrastructure and set up to ensure that we are able to address this challenge appropriately. “Of course, we are really sad that these insurgents have decided to be hitting on soft targets, but we are not deterred in our efforts to rid them out of this nation Nigeria. “We are working according to the President’s directive and we are putting all actions and strategy in place to ensure that we achieve the Presidential directive.” The CP, FCT, Wilson Inalegwu, urged Nigerians “to remain calm and vigilant especially in public places.” He added that, “Three civilians sustained injuries. There was no casualty from the military.