Several dead after an explosion at a market in the capital of Nigeria

At least 11 people have died and several others injured after an explosion at a market in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, as reported by military sources and health. The explosion, which causes still unknown, has occurred in the Mammy Market, near the headquarters of Sani Abacha, the largest of the city, an area that attracts many people to be a party leisure in the city.

Several witnesses said there were hundreds of people prepared to celebrate the last day of the year and welcome 2011. "It's a very unfortunate incident that has skewed many lives. It happened at the place where people relax," said Oluseyi Petinrin, defense spokesman. A worker from nearby military medical center to the area of the incident has been reported that at the moment there are 11 dead and more injured are being shifted to the center.

State television reported 30 people dead, but this has yet to be confirmed by authorities. For now, the area has been cordoned off by security agents and has already begun an investigation, segñun has confirmed a police spokesman. The Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police visited the scene of the explosion in the neighborhood of Aua Junction, Asokoro District, but have not provided information on the event.

The president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has condemned the attack in a statement read by presidential spokesman, Ima NIBOR. "Tonight evil people determined to destroy the joy of Nigerians detonated a bomb in the courtyard of entertainment of a quarter of the federal capital, Abuja," he says.

"Confident in his disastrous success on Christmas Eve in Jos, again have hurt the heart of a nation joyfully celebrating New Year's Eve," the statement said. For Jonathan, as his message, the fact is "extremely evil and wicked and challenges we believe in and defend our nation." The blows of terrorism the country has been beaten with several attacks in recent months, coinciding with a time that has already started the fundraising for the general election next April, raising fears for his success.

In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of independence on 1 October in Abuja came the explosion of two car bombs killed at least 12 dead and nearly 40 wounded near the place where took place the main act of the day. A week ago, on Christmas Eve, a series of explosions in the central city of Jos caused 80 dead and 74 wounded in Christian-majority districts.

On the same day, three churches in the northern city of Maiduguri were burned and at least six people died. Boko Haram, a radical sect that seeks the establishment of Islamic law in Nigeria, claimed responsibility for attacks on Christmas Eve.

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• Nigeria says at least 80 died in Jos attacks (28/12/2010)
• 30 killed in Nigerian bomb blast: State-TV (31/12/2010)
• Nigeria: Cholera deaths rise to more than 1,500 (25/10/2010)

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