El-Rufai “heartbroken” as 20 die in Zaria govt lodge explosion
By Rotimi Akinola
At least 20 people have been confirmed killed after a bomb exploded at a government lodge in Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna state, Tuesday morning.
Rescue workers are responding to the attack which is expected to be blamed on terrorist group Boko Haram.
A suicide bomber is believed be responsible for the attack at the lodge which hosts civil servants taking part in the state’s verification exercise.
Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, who is reported to have visited the scene, said he is heartbroken by the deadly incident.
“I am sad that a terrorist bomb attack just killed 20 people in Sabon Gari Zaria,” El-Rufa’i said on Twitter.
“We call on our citizens to be vigilant and avoid crowded places like markets, mosques, churches and motor parks in the next few weeks.
“The Kaduna State government is working with Federal security agencies that are taking proactive measures to frustrate such terrorists.”
Boko Haram is believed responsible for over 14,000 deaths in Nigeria since 2009.
The sect, which kidnapped over 200 girls from Borno last year, seeks to Islamise Nigeria. Its ideology and activities have been condemned by prominent Muslims.
Boko Haram’s terrorism has also led to a worrying spike in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. The unfortunate persons number over three million, the largest figure in Africa.
Nigerians have criticised the government for failing to take adequate care of its citizens who have become refugees in their own country.
Two volunteers workers “fed up” with the living conditions of refugees at IDP camps in the northeast, Monday, leaked photos of the deplorable meals the refugees are served.
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