Nigeria bus station bombing kills 71; Boko Haram blamed

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http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-nigeria-bus-station-bombing-boko-haram-20140414,0,537766.story



A massive explosion ripped through a bus station during the morning rush hour in Nigeria's capital, killing at least 71 people and wounding 124 in a bombing that marked the bloodiest terrorist attack ever in Abuja.

Nigeria bus station bombing kills 71; Boko Haram blamed
By Robyn Dixon
April 14, 2014, 12:17 p.m.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan blamed Boko Haram for an explosion that killed scores of people Monday at a bus station outside the capital, Abuja, calling the Islamic militant group an “unnecessary distraction” and a temporary problem.

Jonathan, whose leadership has been under intense pressure over his failure to curb the rebellion of Boko Haram in the north of the country, called on Nigerians to be more vigilant about terror attacks.

Police confirmed that at least 71 people were killed and 124 injured in the early morning blast. But some local media suggested the death toll could be almost 90.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion; however, it bore the hallmarks of previous attacks by Boko Haram, which has twice launched suicide bombings in the capital.