12 July 2007
Lagos — Panic spread through the main Games Village of the 9th All Africa Games in Ouled Fayet area of Algiers yesterday when news of the suicide bomber who drove into a military barrack and detonated a bomb that killed himself and eight others got to the athletes quartered there.
Although the incident happened in Bouira, about 120 kilometres away from Algiers, majority of the athletes who spoke with THISDAYSports expressed fears over their safety, stressing that if a suicide bomber could evade security checks and drive into a military barrack, then anything was possible.
Algerian news agencies reported that a vehicle packed with explosives drove at high speed into the army formation in a village named Lakhdaria, killing nine persons in the process with several others seriously injured.
As at time of going to press no group had claimed responsibility for the attack that has spread panic and concern for the almost 10,000 athletes and officials who are here for the Unity Games Algeria last hosted 29 years ago.
Spokesman of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Tony Nezianya, however, reassured the Nigerian contingent that there was no cause for fear.
The host country Algeria has made adequate security plans for all athletes and officials here. I do not expect any breach even though today's attack calls for redoubling of safety precautions," he said.
He, however, called for extra vigilance on the part of the Nigerian delegation as a way of avoiding unnecessary incidents. Information gathered here revealed that there are over 8,000 policemen and soldiers in 94 locations in the capital city.
Vehicles going into venues where there are athletes are searched thoroughly while those without any serious business are turned back.
Only last April an organisation called al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algiers which killed more than 20 people ahead of elections.
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