‘People will die,’ dying Abuja bomber warned

One of the suspected masterminds of Wednesday’s bomb blast at Emab Shopping Plaza in Wuse died at the hospital with screams of “people will die”, the Nigerian Army has revealed.

A statement issued on Friday by the Defence Headquarters revealed that the suspected bomber was shot while speeding away with a suspected fellow terrorist.

Although the rider escaped, the one who was shot died at the hospital, after more explosives had been recovered from him.

“Bystanders at the scene of the explosion alerted soldiers on patrol to the two suspects who were speeding off on a power bike,” read the statement.

“The soldiers swung into action, engaging the escaping suspects and fatally wounding one of them who fell with his bag as the motorbike rider still made efforts to escape through the crowd.”

The military said the bag recovered from the suspect was later confirmed to contain a package of IED and other accessories, including stop clock, mobile phones and other materials used for setting off explosives.

The statement added: “The suspect who was shot by the soldiers finally died at the hospital as he defiantly yelled: ‘People will die!  People will die!’”

“After the incident, 21 people were confirmed dead while the wounded victims are receiving treatment in various hospitals. Two other suspects also arrested at the scene of the explosion are currently being interrogated.”

The death toll eventually rose to 22, as security agents confirmed the death of one more person.