SAD NEW: Explosion rocks Abuja Shopping Mall

Pandemonium broke out in Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on Thursday when explosions rocked Shagari Plaza on Moshood Abiola Way, Garki-Area One, Abuja. The quick succession in which the explosion occurred made customers and neighbours to scamper into safety, while many of the residents in the area expressed fears that it was a bomb explosion. According to an eyewitness account, the first explosion occurred at about 5:17pm when a gas cylinder exploded and caused a jeep parked close to the gas dispenser went up in flames. Reports say the gas retailer, who tried to recover his money kept under one of the cylinders, was also caught in the explosion while trying to save his earnings for the day. "He kept it under one of the cylinders. As he was trying to take the money, another cylinder exploded," a source said. "They just supplied him the gas yesterday (Wednesday). We are surprised because we still don't know what happened. We only heard a big bang," another witness said. The retailer was said to be receiving treatments at an undisclosed hospital as of the time of filing this report. Soldiers were also seen leaving the plaza when newsmen got the scene of the incident.