The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the explosion which rocked the outskirts of Abuja on Monday, May 26, 2025, was caused by a suicide bomber attempting to infiltrate a military facility.
According to NEMA, the blast occurred around 1:47 p.m. near the entrance of the Mogadishu Barracks, also known as Abacha Barracks, located along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway in the Mararaba-Nyanya area. The agency revealed that the attacker, who was strapped with an improvised explosive device (IED), died on the spot after the bomb detonated while he was attempting to breach the military premises.
Emergency response teams were immediately deployed following the alert. Upon arrival at the already cordoned-off scene, NEMA officials encountered heavily armed security operatives. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary findings confirmed that the suspect died instantly during the failed infiltration attempt. One civilian bystander was injured in the incident and was promptly evacuated to the National Hospital in Abuja by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigerian Police Force.
By 5:29 p.m., the area had been fully secured, and the emergency operation was concluded. NEMA noted the presence of multiple stakeholders at the scene, including the Nigerian Police Force, the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other emergency response teams.
Earlier, the police had announced that a thorough investigation, including forensic analysis, was underway to determine the cause and nature of the explosion. However, NEMA’s latest statement has provided clearer insight into the tragic event, attributing it to a foiled suicide bombing attempt.
The agency emphasized its swift response and coordination with other security and emergency bodies in handling the situation.
