Baba-Sule Bisalla, a politician who was at Suleja, his local government, to monitor the process said that the corps members who were oblivious of what was coming at them were the worst-hit as he intimated that they where screening electoral materials and lists.

The incident will be the second blast that will rock the busy town of Suleja in recent times, as the first blast claimed ten lives, leaving many wounded.

Weekly Trust recalls that the first twin blasts that shook the town happened at a political rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a case which is yet to be resolved as none has been convicted. According to Bisalla: “The incident happened at about 5:30 pm at the Kwamba office of the INEC.”

At the Suleja General Hospital, there were nine bodies at the mortuary and another five who died later at the emergency ward. Uniformed men mounted guard at the entrance of the General Hospital turning back sympathizers and victims’ family members, including reporters.

The Emir of Suleja Alhaji Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim, who was at the hospital at about 7.50pm and was in a sober condition and wouldn’t speak to anyone.

The Police Commissioner, who was seen at the emergency ward when the dead bodies and the injured were being evacuated, said: “I cannot say anything now.”

When contacted earlier, Head of Hospital Services Malam Muhamad Hussein told Weekly Trust that nine people had died. But hospital sources later confirmed 18 bodies and another four, bringing the death toll to 22.

A victim with amputated limbs who earlier identified himself as Ado to Weekly Trust at 7.30pm, died an hour later. Family members were seen wailing and shouting at emergency ward of the hospital.

Zone I Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Ishaqu Isah Chonoko said the agency had mobilized ten ambulances and that twelve victims have been moved to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital in Abuja. Earlier, there were complaints that the government response was weak as there was only one ambulance.

Esther, a youth corps member, who witnessed the tragic incident said that she stepped outside the premises to get a recharge card when she suddenly heard the blast, adding that within a split second, all she could see were bodies. She was in tears while narrating her ordeal to our correspondent. She said the wounded and dead were left unattended, as passers-by scampered off for dear life.

Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, described the incident as dastardly, calling for full-scale investigation. “It’s unfortunate that some people have resolved into violence rather than engaging in peaceful means to effect change of government,” he said.