Newspaper editor killed in Abuja blast

The managing editor (north) of New Telegraph, Mr. Suleiman Bisala, is one of those killed in Wednesday’s bomb blast in Abuja.

Bisala, who used to work with Daily Trust newspaper, was said to have gone to Emab Plaza to repair his mobile phone when he was caught in the blast.

A senior member of staff of New Telegraph confirmed the story to TheCable, expressing “deep sadness” at the loss.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, has said soldiers killed one of the suspected bombers of EMAB Plaza in Abuja and arrested another.

Omeri told the media in Abuja that the attackers came on a power bike and planted an improvised explosive device (IED) by the entrance of the shopping mall.

He also confirmed the death of 21 persons and 17 others injured in the blast which also damaged several vehicles.

NAN gathered that the suspects, who attempted to flee the scene of the incident, were shot and arrested by personnel of the Guards Brigade on patrol duty in the area.

One of them later died from wounds sustained from gunshots while a bag containing IEDs was also recovered from the suspects.

Some of the victims were receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Wuse General Hospital and Maitama General Hospital, where movement had been restricted.

FCT Minister Bala Mohammed gave an assurance during a visit to the Maitama hospital that the federal government would foot the medical bills of the victims.

Mohammed advised residents to be very vigilant at all times and report suspicious movements to security agencies for prompt action to check such attacks.

Earlier, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the explosion which occurred at EMAB Plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja.

NEMA’s Press Officer, Mr Ezekiel Manzo, had earlier told NAN that the agency deployed its personnel for rescue operations to the scene after receiving information of the blast about 4pm.