2014 Jos bombings
| Part of the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria | |
 | |
| Date | 20 May 2014 |
|---|---|
| Location | Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria |
| Coordinates | 9°52′N 8°53′E / 9.867°N 8.883°E |
| Target | Bus station and Market |
| Deaths | 118 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 56 |
On 20 May 2014, two bombs exploded in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, killing at least 118 people and injuring more than 56 others.[1] The first bombing occurred in a marketplace, and the second near a bus station. Though no group or individual has claimed responsibility, the attacks are being blamed on Boko Haram.[2]
Background
Christians and Muslims had several confrontations in Jos in years preceding the bombings, and militant group Boko Haram was also active prior to the attack.[1] In 2012, multiple churches were bombed by Boko Haram in order to try to start a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims.[1] In the month prior to the attack, Boko Haram abducted over 200 schoolgirls,[1] though Jos had two significant attacks since 2012.[1]. One day after the bombings 27 were killed in village attacks.[2]
Attack
The twin car blasts were 30 minutes apart,[1] one at 3:00 and the other at 3:30.[3] The first explosion occurred in the Terminus Market, where there were over fifty casualties.[4] In Terminus there was a "teaching hospital, shops, offices and a market" prior to the attack.[5] The second explosion took place near a hospital.[4] The second explosion killed potential rescuers who had gone to assist after the first bomb exploded.[1] A large amount of black smoke was also visible.[4] The bombings were likely designed to inflict the maximum number of casualties.[1] The car bomb caused nearby vehicles to alight.[5]
Aftermath
Firefighters and rescue workers tried to reach the sites of the bombings, but "thousands" of people were fleeing from the area.[1] The bombs had been positioned to kill as many as possible, indiscriminate of religion[1] using a "back-to-back blast" tactic, whereby a bomb explodes and another that explodes a short time later is designed to kill rescue workers as well as initial casualties.[3] Youths[1] and soldiers created checkpoints in the area, with some carrying out searches of vehicles.[5] The body count is expected to rise,[5] and some bodies were burned beyond recognition.[3] A death count of 46 was rapidly raised to the current figure of 118 as the rubble was cleared.[3]
Reactions
President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the bombings,[1] and called them a "tragic assault on human freedom",[1] and the bombers "cruel and evil".[3]
A US state department spokeswoman said the bombing, and other recent attacks blamed on Boko Haram, were "unconscionable, terrorist acts".[2]
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague called the attack in Jos a "cowardly, inhumane crime".[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Nigerian twin bomb explosions kill dozens in Jos". BBC. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Nigeria violence: 'Boko Haram' kill 27 in village attacks". BBC. BBC. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Jonah, Adamu and Igboeroteonwu, Anamesere (20 May 2014). "Bombings kill at least 118 in Nigerian city of Jos". Reuters. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c "2 explosions hit bus station in central Nigeria city". Fox News. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d Mark, Monica (21 May 2014). "Nigeria bombings leave over a hundred dead in city of Jos". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
