The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has debunked the rumour of an alleged car explosion close to Eagle’s Square, the proposed venue for the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29.
The police said burning flames, suspected to be due to a mechanical fault, were noticed underneath a coaster bus heading towards the Nyanya axis from Maitama, Abuja.
This is contrary to reports making the rounds, that a vehicle exploded within close proximity to the Eagle’s Square at about 9 pm on Tuesday night.
Reacting to the development following an inquiry by our correspondent, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, asked citizens and residents to disregard the rumour, adding that the FCT Police Command has continued to intensify the security of the territory in the build-up to the handover ceremony and beyond.
Adeh said, “Today, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at about 9 pm, a coaster bus heading towards the Nyanya axis from Maitama was noticed with burning flames underneath suspected to be due to a mechanical fault.
“The driver’s attention was eventually got close to the Eagle Square, by Shehu Shagari way where the flames increased. The occupants safely alighted before the fire razed down the bus.
“No life or personal effect other than the razed vehicle was damaged as the situation was aptly managed by police operatives from the Central Police Station thereby curbing any form of escalation.
“Members of the public are therefore enjoined to disregard contrary and misleading narratives, emanating from malicious and misguided quarters even as the command continues to intensify the security of the territory in this transition period and beyond.”
READ ALSO Jilli Airstrike: Supporters Of Terrorists Will Be Treated As Bandits, Defence Minister Warns Defence Minister Christopher Musa has warned that supporters of terrorists would be treated as criminals. He said this on Monday as he reacted to the airstrike carried out by the Nigerian Air Force airstrike in Jilli, Borno State, over the weekend. Speaking after an expanded security meeting in Kaduna with the state governor and heads of security agencies, Musa said the operation sends a clear message to those collaborating with terrorist groups. He stressed that anyone found supporting insurgents would face the same consequences as the perpetrators. “A friend of a thief is a thief,” he said, warning civilians against associating with or providing any form of assistance to terrorists. Musa urged residents to steer clear of areas known to be used by insurgents, noting that proximity or collaboration could have grave consequences. The airstrike, carried out near the village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area, targeted what the military described as an ISWAP enclave and logistics hub. According to the Nigerian Air Force, the operation was intelligence-driven and aimed at neutralising terror elements and destroying their equipment. However, reports have emerged alleging that the strike may have affected a weekly market in the area, with civilians, including cross-border traders, reportedly among casualties. Musa, however, maintained that the strike should serve as a strong warning to those aiding insurgent activities, reaffirming the military’s resolve to intensify operations against terrorist networks. Air Component of Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a precision air strike on a known terrorist enclave and logistics hub located near the abandoned village of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Giving an update on the airstrike, the Nigerian Army in a post on its official X handle said, “The successful strike, executed on 11 April 2026, followed sustained intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over the Bindul–Jilli axis, an area long identified as a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their collaborators.”
