Dozens of people lost their lives, hundreds have sustained injuries in the massive explosion that occurred in the early hours of Monday at the crowded Nyanya Bus Terminus in Abuja.
Although officials say 72 persons were killed in the accident, 133 sustained injuries, some have expressed their doubts the true figures would be ever released.Several survivors talked to journalists, narrating their stories of miraculous escape and sharing their memories of the horrible incident.
A survivor, who wished to stay anonymous, said only providence helped him to survive the accident without even a scratch and thanked God for saving his life. According to him, he drove to Nyanya bus station to pick his friends. He had to enter the park, as the Task Force officers would not allow people to pick passengers under the bridge. One person sat with him in the front, while the other three sat in the back. When the last person shut the car's door, the narrator tried to move the car, and at the same moment, "everything went blank". The force of the explosion threw him far away, while all the four passengers died.Michael Chucks said he has just left the park when he heard a loud noise resembling a burst tyre. He parked his vehicle and saw dozens of dead bodies on the ground. The blast affected at least four "El-Rufai buses" (a mass transit bus) loaded with passengers, Mr. Chucks says, adding there were over 500 people there. He is sceptical of the fact that the Government will reveal the true number of victims.James Igwe said he noticed quick "disappearance" of the driver from the vehicle parked in front of the buses that were fully loaded with passengers. He said those who remained conscious after the blast cried for help, but everyone in the area were lying on the ground.Chinenye Emeka, a food vendor, is also grateful to God for sparing her life. She was about to enter her shop when the explosion occurred. Just before that, she noticed a red space wagon going inside the park. She fell on the ground as soon as she heard the loud sound. When she tried to stand up, she saw thick black smoke everywhere and bodies of many people scattered around. She regretted deaths of many other food vendors.Jeremiah Ofem, a civil servant, sustained bruises but was lucky to survive. He alleged that the vehicle with the explosives had been most likely driven to the spot and abandoned, with the perpetrators controlling the blast with a remote control.Michael Epuele is also receiving medical treatment at the Nyanya General Hospital. He is surprised that he was affected by the explosion, as he was at the nearby motor park, far away from the blast.Sources: Naij.com news, Vanguard
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