Although it is a cosmopolitan town, Zaria had so far been spared the spate of terrorist attacks that have become an almost frequent occurrence in Kano, its eastern neighbour or to some extent Kaduna, the state capital. But last week Tuesday, Zaria was rocked by a suicide bombing which left 25 people officially dead, the worst casualty yet. In this report, DGossip247 narrates how the attack happened
In politics, governance and executing of projects, Malam Nasir Ahmad El Rufai, the Kaduna State governor, is not given to sentiments or emotions. Tough, straight talking and result-driven, the technocrat looks at facts and figures with professional detachment. Consequently, to some people, El Rufai is as cold as they come, a robot-like being with neither feelings nor empathy.
Last week Tuesday, that perception was shattered as tears rolled down El Rufai’s cheeks. The governor, with a few aides and Alhaji Umar Usman Shehu, the state Commissioner of Police, were at the Sabon Gari Local Government secretariat, the scene of the recent bomb blast in Zaria.
At the scene, charred corpses, mangled vehicles and the general destruction of lives and property moved the governor to tears. For once, words failed the eloquent and fire spitting helmsman of Kaduna State. Amidst sobs, he mumbled his condolences, commiserated with the bereaved and promised to take action on the matter.
On Tuesday July 7, Zaria town was thrown into mourning as scores lost their lives in a bomb blast. Significantly, the genesis of the attack started about 17 days ago. On June 24, Kaduna State government had embarked on a cleansing mission as civil servants, irrespective of their ranks, were mandated to undergo a verification exercise. The workers, according to reports, were asked to report with their appointment letters, letters of last promotion and a valid driver’s licence or international passport for proper identification.
According to Mrs Alisabatu Onazi, the Head of Service, the exercise will take place at three centres and they include Zaria, Kaduna and Kafanchan towns. Slow, tedious and frustrating, the verification ran into hitches and most civil servants have not received their June salaries up till date. Daily, the workers queued for hours on end, sweating and cursing under the sun.
The exercise, according to government, is aimed at fishing out ghost workers from the workforce. However, last Tuesday, bonafide workers were figuratively turned into ghosts when a female suicide bomber, according to reports, sneaked into the Sabon Gari verification centre.
Thereafter, she detonated her deadly device, taking her life and others’ in the process. Significantly, another account differed from the suicide narrative. A parcel, according to reports, was hidden at the secretariat but some people noticed it and scampered in fear. However, others stayed put, believing that the scare was a hoax but a few minutes later, gun shots rent the air.
Afterwards, a deafening explosion followed, clearing everyone and everything in sight. Mostly, the victims were female teachers from Lere, Kubau and Sabon Gari local governments. In addition, the attack coincided when new council chairman assumed office, so the secretariat was filled to the brim by party supporters.
Immediately, rescue workers that included the police, military and personnel of Road Safety Corps, evacuated the dead and injured to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) and other hospitals. As yet, the correct casualty figures could not be certified as different agencies and individuals reeled out conflicting figures. Specifically, eye witnesses put the figure at over 100, the State Commissioner of Police said 21 people died in the blast while authorities of ABUTH gave a fatality figure of 25. In addition, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 26 lives were lost and 33 people were injured in the blast.
Ironically, the explosion brought industrial harmony at ABUTH as the Resident Doctors suspended their strike action to attend to the injured victims. Last month, the doctors had downed tools over incomplete salary payment, the sacking of their colleagues and sundry grievances.
However, they ceased fire last Tuesday as the patients, from the blast scene, kept arriving with different wounds and lacerations. According to Tuko Moses, the chairman ABUTH chapter of the union, all Resident Doctors were fully mobilised to attend to the patients.
“However, as soon as we are done with the bomb victims, the strike will continue until our demands are met,” he clarified. Apart from the Resident Doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also asked all its members in other hospitals to, according to Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed, “take care of the affected victims.” Similarly, NEMA reportedly deployed medical consumables and drugs for the victims. Likewise, some people heeded the agency’s call and donated blood for them. Expectedly, reactions came thick and fast as the state government, religious bodies and Non Governmental Organisations as well as sundry individuals condemned the attack.
In particular, El Rufai described it as “an inhuman act of terror.” In particular, Kaduna State government had banned street begging and hawking with immediate effect, until the security situation improves. Consequently, “all beggars and hawkers are to stay off the streets until further notice.
Any beggar or hawker found on the streets will be arrested, until these measures are relaxed,” el- Rufai had warned last Tuesday. In addition, he reiterated the ban on commercial motorcycles in some parts of the state, a policy it inherited from the previous administration.
Last Wednesday, a day after the blast, Zaria residents had already put the incident behind them and continued with the hustle and bustle of daily life. In particular, the verification exercise has continued at Z 45, Government Lodge, the second verification centre. However, extra security measures have been taken as everyone is thoroughly searched before entering the venue. Conversely, the Sabon Gari venue has been deserted. Variously, people kept saying “happy survival” to each other a day after the bombing.
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, commiserated with his people and warned them against harbouring strangers. According to him, “strangers that live within our midst should be properly identified. We should also be mindful of the places we visit. This is very important because these people take advantage of our negligence to cause havoc. Zaria is known for peace, and this is the first time that high number of people would die in a single incident in the city. We pray for the repose of the soul of those that lost their lives.”
Significantly, the last time Zaria witnessed a terrorist attack or bomb explosion was about five years ago. In July 2011, a locally made bomb had exploded at the Iyan Juma area of the Zaria city. According to reports, the bomb that was planted at Tudun Masallaci exploded around 6a.m. when two teenagers unknowingly stepped on the explosives but survived the blast.
The believe was that the bomb was hidden in the refuse dump “for safe keeping.” On June 17, 2012, a twin bomb blast had rocked Zaria, killing worshipers at both ECWA church at Wusasa and Christ the King Cathedral in Sabon Gari. According to reports, no death was recorded at the scene of the attack but the injured were rushed to hospital. However, Zaria’s relative peace was shattered last Tuesday and some residents have blamed it on the removal of military checkpoints in the city.
The stop and search at checkpoints, according to them, was some kind of deterrence to the terrorists. Conversely, some argued that the resurgent attacks in Borno, Yobe and Plateau states, as well as Zaria are allegedly being instigated from security circles to justify the return of checkpoints. Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility but the Zaria attack has its imprimatur. There is still a long road to peace in Nigeria, in spite of the change of government.
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