Updated: Explosions Rock Abuja, 16 feared killed, 30 Wounded

PHOTO: THE SCENE OF MEND'S DEADLY 50TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY BOMB BLAST IN ABUJA.

• President Goodluck Jonathan Reacts, Promises to find perpetrators and make them 'pay dearly.'

San Francisco, Oct 1, (THEWILL) –Two bomb blasts have rocked Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja killing at least 16 persons, near the official celebrations to mark the country's 50th independence anniversary at the Eagle Square. About 30 other persons wounded have been taken to the Asokoro Hospital for treatment.

Two car bombs exploded outside the Ministry of Justice but were not heard at the Eagle Square where the ceremonies for the oil rich nation's independence anniversary is taking place with President Goodluck Jonathan in attendance.

Our Bureau Chief, Ewache Ajefu who is at the scene said NEMA personnel and the anti bomb squad are at the scene of the blasts, adding that security operatives have cordoned off the entire area all the way to the Eagle Square where the ceremony is taking place. Police helicopters are also conducting surveillance around the area.

He said about 28 vehicles were shattered when the bombs exploded. Debris from the explosion spread as far the Millenium Park in the area.

The AFP news agency earlier reported that a police officer said, "There are seven bodies, including a senior police officer" killed by the blasts.

MEND, a major militant group had issued a bomb warning about two hours ago saying it planted explosives around the venue and warned invited guests to evacuate immediately.

A wicked and dastardly act - Jonathan

A statement from President Goodluck Jonathan's spokesman, Ima Niboro described the blast as "dirty and wicked act of desperation by criminals and murderers."

The statement reads; "The bomb explosions which occurred near the Ministry of Justice in Abuja, and which claimed several lives are a low, dirty and wicked act of desperation by criminals and murderers who do not wish Nigeria well.

"Coming at a time that the world had gathered together to celebrate Nigeria at 50, these bomb attacks are the worst anniversary gifts any nation can get.

"Their purpose was to ensure that the celebration at Eagle Square was cancelled by all means. It is sad and unfortunate.

"President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan grieves with the families that have lost loved ones in the incidents. The president shares their consternation and understands their confoundment, as they mourn while the nation celebrates.

"The president wants these families to know that their loved ones have not died in vain. Rather they have paid the supreme price for our unity; and in their death, they have watered the tree of our freedom.

"To those behind these vicious acts, the president wants you to know that you will be found, and you will pay dearly for this heinous crime."

Get to the bottom of this act of evil – Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization

The Jonathan/Sambo campaign organisation also condemned the bombings saying it is an ‘affront on the nation’s peace and security by cowardly elements.’

A statement signed by the campaigns Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Sully Abu reads;

"Get to the bottom of this act of evil – Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization

"As President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo led thousands of Nigerians to celebrate the nation’s golden jubilee at Eagle Square Abuja and millions of Nigerians looked to the future with renewed hope, car bombs exploded near the Square killing several people and injuring many more.

"As the security agencies grapple with this affront on the nation’s peace and security by cowardly elements, we as a campaign organisation wish to stress that this dastardly act only underscores the urgent need to conduct our politics in a civilised fashion in the run up to next year’s election. Rather than engage in brickbats, accusations and counter accusations which raise the political temperature and thus create room for anti-social elements to carry out their nefarious activities, our politicians must learn to engage one another in a peaceable fashion, devoid of acrimony and incendiary language.

"We must all centre our political campaigns around issues that touch on the lives of the Nigerian people and how to ensure that before our centennial, we join the front ranks of the most developed nations on earth. This surely is far more productive than engaging in calumny and diversionary arguments that overheat the atmosphere. This has been repeatedly emphasised by the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization and is the over-riding lesson of today’s bomb blasts.

"But even as we emphasise this point, we call on the security agencies to get to the bottom of this mischievous act no matter what claims have been made by any group and fish out the perpetrators for exemplary punishment according to law. The security agencies must also be on special alert and must strengthen security across the country."

FG react too

Professor Dora Akunyili, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Information and Communications in her emailed statement on the explosions said, "The Government of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan received with shock and great pain, news of two explosions this morning, resulting in the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians.

"Government strongly condemns this wicked action apparently aimed at sabotaging the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration of our great nation.

"These attacks are unfortunate, unwarranted and unacceptable considering the fact that Nigerians are generally peace-loving people. If the attack was aimed at robbing Nigerians the joy of the Independence Anniversary, it failed because the celebrations were a resounding success.

"Government condoles with the families of the victims of these dastardly attacks and appeals to all those who have grievances to present them in a peaceful manner.

"Nigerian government reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners residing in Nigeria."