Seventy-one people died in a bomb blast in a packed bus station in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Monday -- the deadliest attack yet to strike the city -- with the president blaming the explosion on Boko Haram Islamists.
The bomb, which also injured 124 people, rocked the Nyanya station on Abuja's southern outskirts at 6:45 am (0545 GMT) as it was filled with morning commuters, leaving body parts scattered across the terminal and destroying dozens of vehicles.
Previously, much of the recent violence by the Boko Haram insurgency has been in the remote northeast, though some have targeted the central capital.
The United States condemned the attack, denouncing it as "senseless" and called for a full investigation into it.
"We are outraged by this senseless act of violence against innocent civilians," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We continue to stand with the Nigerian government and people as they grapple with violent extremism," she said, also condemning a series of attacks on three villages in Borno State over the weekend.
The South African government, in a statement, also condemned the attack, saying that it believed that "terrorism, in any form and from whichever quarter, cannot be condoned".
This major bombing, just a few kilometres (miles) from the seat of government, will raise further doubts about Nigeria's ability to contain the Islamist threat it is battling.
The explosion "emanated from a vehicle" parked within the station, said Charles Otegbade, head of search and rescue at the National Emergency Management Agency.
National police spokesman Frank Mba put the toll at 71 dead and 124 injured. The wounded were being treated in area hospitals.
Visiting the site, President Goodluck Jonathan vowed that Nigeria would overcome the brutal insurgency being waged by Boko Haram, blamed for killing thousands across the north and centre of the country since 2009.
"The issue of Boko Haram is quite an ugly history within this period of our own development," Jonathan said. "But we will get over it... The issue of Boko Haram is temporary."
The Islamists, who say they want to create a strict Islamic state in northern Nigeria, have previously set off bombs in and around the capital, including a 2011 car bombing at the United Nations headquarters that killed at least 26 people.
'Charred bodies removed'
Monday's explosions at the bus station left a hole roughly 1.2 metres (four feet) deep and spread debris across the compound, an AFP reporter and witnesses said.
"I saw bodies taken away in open trucks," said witness Yakubu Mohammed, describing grisly remains that "were burnt and in pieces".
Nyanya is a densely populated suburb of Abuja, filled with government and civil society workers who cannot afford the city centre's exorbitant rents.
Bus parking zones have been among Boko Haram's preferred targets, including a bombing at a terminal in the northern city of Kano last year that killed more than 40 people.
'Security crackdown'
Jonathan, who is expected to face a tough re-election battle next year, has faced intense criticism over the continuing Boko Haram violence.
With the recent unrest concentrated in the northeast, the president had been able to claim that progress was being made in the battle against the Islamist rebels.
But an escalation of attacks in or near Abuja would pile further pressure on the embattled president.
Prominent targets within Abuja have been locked down since the UN bombing and checkpoints are set up daily on major roads throughout the city.
Security measures are however less rigid in areas outside the city centre.
Following Monday's attack, police chief Mohammed Abubakar ordered officers "to intensify surveillance on all vulnerable targets within Abuja", Mba said.
But a temporary security crackdown will not be enough to repair Jonathan's declining credibility in the Boko Haram conflict, according to Adetokunbo Mumuni of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.
Last May, the military launched a massive offensive to crush the Islamist uprising and has described Boko Haram as being in disarray and on the defensive. But the success of that campaign was being questioned after Monday's bloodshed.
"It is obvious the attack is aimed at sending a message to the government that the insurgents are very much around and can strike at any time they choose," said Abubakar Tsav, a retired police chief and security analyst.
Experts warn that force alone cannot stem the bloodshed and have called for a major outreach to dejected and deeply impoverished youths from the north who fill Boko Haram's ranks.
Nigeria is Africa top oil producer and largest economy, but more than 80 percent of its 170 million people live on less than $2 per day.
Analysts say that the Boko Haram unrest has partly stalled economic growth and scared away potential investors.
"The government is doing everything to make sure that we move our country forward," Jonathan affirmed after the attack.
The US State Department has offered a $7 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.
AFP
Tue Apr 15 2014
This is the deadliest attack yet to strike Abuja with the president blaming the explosion on Boko Haram. -AP Photo
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.