The Nigerian Army has confirmed that an explosion occurred on Monday near the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, leading to the death of a suspected suicide bomber and injuring another individual.
The military, however, has assured the public that the situation is under control.
In a statement posted on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Army said: “BREAKING NEWS, explosion at bus stop opposite Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja. Situation under control, details later…”
The blast, which reportedly occurred around a public bus stop opposite the busy military barracks, has sparked concerns over possible terrorist activity, though conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the exact cause of the explosion.
Initial eyewitness accounts suggest the incident was triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed in a rubber container.
A military source at the scene said the man who died was believed to be a suicide bomber, killed by the explosive he was carrying.
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However, military officials have not ruled out other possibilities, stating that the explosion may have been caused by a mobile phone device and not necessarily an IED.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise nature of the blast.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), were swiftly deployed to secure the area and manage the aftermath.
While normalcy has since returned to the area, the incident has reignited fears over security vulnerabilities in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly as the country inches closer to the 2027 general elections.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, promising to provide further updates as investigations progress.