Car Bomb Ravages U.N. Main Office in Nigeria: ‘Many People Are Dead’
- Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:16am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Photo: AP
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A car laden with explosives detonated outside the United Nations‘ main office in Nigeria’s capital Friday, blowing part of the concrete structure into shards and killing an undetermined number of people.
Witnesses told The Associated Press that a sedan broke through the exit at the U.N. compound, ramming through two separate gates as guards tried to stop the vehicle. The suicide bomber inside drove the car just up to the main reception of the building before detonating, inflicting the most damage possible, witnesses said.
Photo: AP
“I saw scattered bodies,” said Michael Ofilaje, a UNICEF worker at the building. “Many people are dead.”
He said it felt like “the blast came from the basement and shook the building.”
The building houses about 400 employees of the U.N. in Nigeria, including the majority of its offices. A local U.N. spokesman declined to comment, but a local hospital administrator told the AP it had treated as many as 40 victims so far, with more people coming in.
Alessandra Vellucci, a spokeswoman for the U.N. office in Geneva, confirmed that the global body’s offices in Abuja had been bombed.
She told the AP that there was no word yet on casualties.
U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq in New York said, “There are some indications of fatalities, but we are trying to get confirmation.”
The building, located in the same neighborhood as the U.S. embassy and other diplomatic posts in Abuja, had a huge hole punched in it. Workers brought three large cranes to the building by midday Friday, trying to pull away the concrete and rubble to try and find survivors. Others at the site stood around, stunned, as medical workers began carrying out what appeared to be the dead.
“This is getting out of hand,” said a U.N. staffer who identified himself as Bodunrin. “If they can get into the U.N. House, they can reach anywhere.”
Photo: AP
Ali Tikko, who was in a building 100 yards (meters) from the site of the blast when it occurred said, “I heard one big boom.” Outside his window, he said, he could see a part of the damage.
“I see a number of people lying on the floor – at least four or five. I cannot see if they are dead. There are a lot of security around,” said Tikko who was reached by telephone Friday morning.
Local police spokesman Jimoh Moshood confirmed the blast, but said police were still investigating the cause. Reuben Abati, a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, said the presidency would later issue a statement on the attack.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but oil-rich Nigeria faces terrorism threats on multiple fronts. Last year, a militant group from the country’s crude-producing Niger Delta blew up car bombs in the capital during Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary ceremony, killing at least 12.
Nigeria, a nation of 150 million, is split between a largely Christian south and Muslim north. In recent months, the country has faced an increasing threat from a radical Muslim sect called Boko Haram, which wants to implement a strict version of Shariah law in the nation. The sect has carried out assassinations and bombings, including the June car bombing of the national headquarters of Nigeria’s federal police that killed at least two people.
Earlier this month, the commander for U.S. military operations in Africa said Boko Haram may be trying to link with two al-Qaida-linked groups in other African countries to mount joint attacks in Nigeria.
Gen. Carter Ham told AP on Aug. 17 during a visit to Nigeria that “multiple sources” indicate Boko Haram made contacts with al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which operates in northwest Africa, and with al-Shabab in Somalia.
“I think it would be the most dangerous thing to happen not only to the Africans, but to us as well,” Carter said.
—
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell and Yinka Ibukun in Lagos, Nigeria, Michelle Faul in Johannesburg, Rukmini Callimachi in Dakar, Senegal and Frank Jordans and John Heilprin in Geneva contributed to this report.
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Comments (57)
Recursion
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 2:01pmLet me guess…leftists will now say this was actually a disgruntled Tea partier or Christian…
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 12:21pmHey UN: You have it coming. You have alot more than this coming. UN offices around the world should be bombed, destroyed and forgotten. Good shot! Do it again, this time in New York.
K Chad Roberts
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 1:21pmYour statements are ridiculous. You realize that a disproportionately large amount of the UN ambassadors are American and British right? Your call to supporting terrorist acts is bordering on treason!
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 2:24pmChad: Treason is not possible between an American citizen and the United Nations. I don’t give a fcckk what you think of my statement.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 11:46ammaybe Nigeria understands it, the UN is a corrupt communist thug club. we would have no sympathy if the UN bldg full of its corrupt monsters and dictators and fuhrer-wannabes in NY goes DOWN either.
Report Post »georgeisn6
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 11:14amIf there were no Nigerian nationals hurt or killed, then no one was hurt by this event.
Report Post »jxgrab
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:43amI despise the UN as much as the next guy but I don’t like people being senselessly killed by terrorists either. However, you basically have terrorists blowing up other terrorists, dictators & despots.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:40amI in no way condone violence. But the truth is the UN, Democrats, socialism, marxism, communism, radial islam, are all in bed together and need to be exposed and tried for treason against the Republic!
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:08amOh please. Nobody wears Christian Audigier/Ed Hardy anymore!
Report Post »WarriorPitbull
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:57amWorse than just a spammer.
Notice this red commie idiot spammer is linking to a site whose goods are SHIPPED DIRECTLY FROM CHINA. Read their ‘About Us’ page: http://www.clothes6.us/about.html
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:48amMe too, hate spammers.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:39amI don’t want to make light of this disaster. I will include the victims in my prayers. Now the UN is a target for terrotists. Maybe this will wake up the international community that Islam is engaged in a holy war against everyone not Islamic.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:14amHope you are right but my guess is that they will Blame this on America. The U.N. is filled with that “No one ever rooted for Goliath” mentality. They haven’t forgiven us for winning WWII.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:35amGosh, too bad it wasn’t the New York offices… Drat!
Report Post »Vital
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:34amIsn’t the UN the BEAST of Revelation that sits on many waters?
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:15amAnd the Progressives don’t think Religion is relevant! God is the ONLY relevance that we can depend on to always be here. The UN needs to be removed (Maybe Irene will be nice and take the building with her as she blows through) and then we can just send the ambassadors who take advantage of the political correctness and parking. I pray for those affected in Nigeria. We need to put America first and keep her in our prayers because this stuff is on it’s way here. We need to get the UN out and America First In.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:19amThis is one more reason for the US to get out of the UN, and ship their entire operation to another country before the UN building is targeted here.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:14amReported your post.
Please don’t advertise here.
Report Post »WhatsYerProblem
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:07amRight. Why care? Its just a bunch of Africans, right?
Apathy will destroy the world.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:21amIt’s the UN, thats why we don’t care. I’m hoping to see a downsize of this bogus organization and save me some tax dollars.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:26amThe U.N and muslims will destroy the world.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:47amWhy do some many idiots like yourself go staright to race . The U.N. was the target I sure it’s in retailation for Libya. The U.N. is the greatest threat to soveriegnity and indiviual freedom on the planet.
Report Post »Actions like these are only going to get worse in the future. As a Constitutional American I for one want this socialist orginazation out of my Country. Their goal are counter to the U.S. Constitution and having them in America is no different than letting Satanist open a satanic worshipping kiosh in a Church.
barber2
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:09amJust a typical NYT Lefty trying to distract with a charge of racism. They think that anyone who is a conservative is a dumb, white “******* .”
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 4:29pm@smithclar3nc3
Leftists never miss a chance at race-baiting. They use everything situation or crisis for political gain. That’s why they spent so much time and effort trying to undermine the troops in Iraq. It’s why they use every tragedy in the U.S. to push gun control-gun confiscation. And on and on. It’s their first instinct
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:03amOh well.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:12amYeah. Sux. But I don’t have much sympathy for anything U.N. I wished they would schedule some demolition teams to take down the buildings in the U.S.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:25amBut each of those people had families who presumably loved them and just because they worked for the U.N. doesn’t mean they were one world activist. It means they had jobs.
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:54am@TAQUOSHI
But each of those people had families who presumably loved them and just because they worked for the U.N. doesn’t mean they were one world activist. It means they had jobs.
I agree………..
Time for people to choose sides and I choose the side who is against the UN.
So, if ever offered a job at the UN, I would refuse……
So………….. OH WELL
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:53am@ randy That is a weak argument. It’s not like some folks were just out and about turning in applications and the only returned phone call was from the UN. You make it sound like these people took a position with the UN out of desperation. I think we the people should take over the UN building in NY under eminate domain and turn it over to Trump where he could create lovely high end condos.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:02amI wish I could say that I actually care.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:41amSo begins the next phase of the arab spring. Will 0bummer be cheering this on too?
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:48amProbably.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:03amHe’ll be dancing a jig with unmitigated glee.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 11:32amI hope you are wrong, I have investments in oil in Nigeria that are just starting to generate cash flow.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:37amUnbelieveable! The Muslims are attacking the very organization which gives them such free rein like putting Syria and Iran on the “Human Rights Council”.
The US needs to withdraw from the UN and stop ALL funding of this corrupt anti – American outfit.
Report Post »notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:44amYou are so right. We fund this corrupt organization and the IMF and World Bank and all they do is suck money out of the 50% here who pay taxes and give it to these people who want to kill everyone or to prop uo European dinosaurs who want to be paid for each country’s version of the siesta.
We will never learn. Wilson’s League of Nations was a failure and so is the UN. When will we be run by people who put America first?
History will show that war will be the only thing that gets us past this and then there will be a period of peace (if there’s anything left) and then the cycle will begin anew.
Report Post »Brents Torts
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:48amI agree 100%
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:30amI couldn’t agree more. I think the U.N. headquarters in N.Y. should pay property taxes and rent. If they don’t like it, they can move to Botswana or Cameroon.
Report Post »PAJoe
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 11:31amGet the un out of the USA!
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 4:35pmBTW, whatever happened to Senator Barry’s Global UN Tax Bill? Senate Bill 2433.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:35amThis is horifying. The secular world is incapable of recognizing ture evel. Sad.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:47amI wonder if the Muslim influence is why my Christian Nigerian neighbor left and came here? I hope he didn’t know any of the wounded/dead.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:33amBREAKING NEWS: the UN has just proposed a ban on cars. Film at 11.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:39amI guess I am not the only one that dislikes the UN………..
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:30amThis is a very, very clear example of the war that is now going on in the world. No one wants to name it yet, it’s too scarey, but it is a worldwide war and it’s happening all around us. I know there are some good muslims, but I’m not willing to bet my families lives on it. It’s time to do a little re-thinking of multi-culturism and realise that we have enemy in our own camp. 9/11 was only the first, I believe it will get much, much worse, and in the name of diversity we are letting soldiers into our borders. My prayers to those suffering pain and loss in Nigeria. Someone somewhere in our government better wise up quick!
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:30amScary place of Muslim hate for the Christian.
“Boko Haram made contacts with al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which operates in northwest Africa, and with al-Shabab in Somalia.”
Report Post »MrHr1207
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:22amSpeaking of the UN. We need to get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US!
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:30amAgree, the un is sucking money from usa tax payers and selling us down the drain.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 10:36amAs much as I despise the UN, I disagree. We need to remain members just to have eyes and ears on this organization (keep your enemies closer), but our funding should be lessened to the average amount of all members.
We currently provide around 22% of total UN funding. Time for us to pay the average, and see them try to operate with $2 Billion less in thier slush fund.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on August 26, 2011 at 8:18amAnd on and on……
Report Post »