UPDATED: 18 killed in multiple Abuja blasts

‎Multiple explosions ripped through the city of Abuja on Friday night, killing at least 18 people and injuring 41.

According to residents of Kuje, a satellite town in the city, multiple blasts hit a police station and a market in the area about 10pm.

‎The number of casualties is yet to be ascertained, but many are feared dead.

Also, multiple blasts hit Nyanya town at 10:17 pm.

Confirming both incidents, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said: “Following the unfortunate explosions that occurred this night in Nyanya and Kuje, which are two satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, the National Emergency Management Agency has deployed its rescue teams in the evacuation of the victims to various hospitals.”

The statement, released by Manzo Ezekiel, its press officer, added: “The explosions, which occurred almost simultaneously, have resulted in a number of deaths and injuries but the rescue operations coordinated by NEMA are still ongoing. Details would be made available later.”

At Kuje, 15 people were killed in the explosions while 20 persons sustained varying degrees of wounds.

Meanwhile, at Nyanya, three people died while 21 sustained injuries. One critically injured person was taken to the Asokoro general hospital.

Ishaya Chonoko, coordinator of NEMA Abuja operations, confirmed the figure,  saying 18 persons were receiving treatment at the Nyanya general hospital.

“We have confirmed that 18 persons, who sustained injuries, are receiving treatment at the Nyanya General hospital,” he said.

“Two persons that were confirmed dead were taken to the Asokoro General hospital.”

Chonoko said that another blast that earlier took place in Kuje Area council of the FCT, also recorded 15 dead and 20 injured.

Wilson Inalegwu, the FCT commissioner of police, also confirmed the bomb blasts.

This will be the first blasts in Abuja this year. In 2014, a series of blasts, at different times, hit the city killing‎ scores of people.