2014 Jos bombings | |
---|---|
Part of the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria | |
Location | Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria |
Coordinates | 9°52′N 8°53′E / 9.867°N 8.883°E |
Date | 20 May 2014 |
Target | Bus station and market |
Weapons | Car bombs |
Deaths | 118+ |
Injured | 56+ |
Perpetrator | Boko Haram Suspected |
On 20 May 2014, two bombs exploded in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, killing at least 118 people and injuring more than 56 others. [1] The first bombing occurred in a marketplace, and the second near a bus station. Though no group or individual has claimed responsibility, the attacks have been attributed to Boko Haram. [2]
Christians and Muslims had several confrontations in Jos in years preceding the bombings, and militant group Boko Haram was also active prior to the attack. [1] In 2012, multiple churches were bombed by Boko Haram in order to try to start a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims. [1] In the month prior to the attack, Boko Haram abducted over 200 schoolgirls, [1] though Jos had two significant attacks since 2012. [1] One day after the bombings 27 were killed in village attacks. [2]
The twin car blasts were 30 minutes apart, [1] one at 3:00 and the other at 3:30. [3] The first explosion occurred in the Terminus Market, where there were over fifty casualties. [4] In Terminus there was a "teaching hospital, shops, offices and a market" prior to the attack. [5] The second explosion took place near a hospital. [4] The second explosion killed potential rescuers who had gone to assist after the first bomb exploded. [1] A large amount of black smoke was also visible. [4] The bombings were likely designed to inflict the maximum number of casualties. [1] The car bomb caused nearby vehicles to alight. [5]
Firefighters and rescue workers tried to reach the sites of the bombings, but "thousands" of people were fleeing from the area. [1] The bombs had been positioned to kill as many as possible, indiscriminate of religion [1] using a "back-to-back blast" tactic, whereby a bomb explodes and another that explodes a short time later is designed to kill rescue workers as well as initial casualties. [3] Youths [1] and soldiers created checkpoints in the area, with some carrying out searches of vehicles. [5] The body count is expected to rise, [5] and some bodies were burned beyond recognition. [3] A death count of 46 was rapidly raised to the current figure of 118 as the rubble was cleared. [3] However, some have put the figure as high as 150. [6]
2014 Jos bombings | |
---|---|
Part of the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria | |
Location | Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria |
Coordinates | 9°52′N 8°53′E / 9.867°N 8.883°E |
Date | 20 May 2014 |
Target | Bus station and market |
Weapons | Car bombs |
Deaths | 118+ |
Injured | 56+ |
Perpetrator | Boko Haram Suspected |
On 20 May 2014, two bombs exploded in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, killing at least 118 people and injuring more than 56 others. [1] The first bombing occurred in a marketplace, and the second near a bus station. Though no group or individual has claimed responsibility, the attacks have been attributed to Boko Haram. [2]
Christians and Muslims had several confrontations in Jos in years preceding the bombings, and militant group Boko Haram was also active prior to the attack. [1] In 2012, multiple churches were bombed by Boko Haram in order to try to start a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims. [1] In the month prior to the attack, Boko Haram abducted over 200 schoolgirls, [1] though Jos had two significant attacks since 2012. [1] One day after the bombings 27 were killed in village attacks. [2]
The twin car blasts were 30 minutes apart, [1] one at 3:00 and the other at 3:30. [3] The first explosion occurred in the Terminus Market, where there were over fifty casualties. [4] In Terminus there was a "teaching hospital, shops, offices and a market" prior to the attack. [5] The second explosion took place near a hospital. [4] The second explosion killed potential rescuers who had gone to assist after the first bomb exploded. [1] A large amount of black smoke was also visible. [4] The bombings were likely designed to inflict the maximum number of casualties. [1] The car bomb caused nearby vehicles to alight. [5]
Firefighters and rescue workers tried to reach the sites of the bombings, but "thousands" of people were fleeing from the area. [1] The bombs had been positioned to kill as many as possible, indiscriminate of religion [1] using a "back-to-back blast" tactic, whereby a bomb explodes and another that explodes a short time later is designed to kill rescue workers as well as initial casualties. [3] Youths [1] and soldiers created checkpoints in the area, with some carrying out searches of vehicles. [5] The body count is expected to rise, [5] and some bodies were burned beyond recognition. [3] A death count of 46 was rapidly raised to the current figure of 118 as the rubble was cleared. [3] However, some have put the figure as high as 150. [6]