20101001
africanews

Blasts that rocked an area near Nigeria's independence celebrations have killed at least seven people, including a police officer. Reports out of Abuja say two car bombs detonated in Nigeria's capital and a third explosion hit a venue where the president was celebrating the nation's 50th independence anniversary.

The explosions came after militants warned there was "nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure" in Africa's most populous nation, which is oil-rich but where most live on less than US$1 a day.

Friday's attacks would be among the militants' boldest yet, striking in Nigeria's capital during an event with heavy security held hundreds of kilometers from the Niger Delta region where they are based.

AfricaNews' Samuel Okocha said it is business as usual in West African most populous nation.

"Nigerians were taken by surprise. But life goes on here. People could be seen wearing their national colours and it seem nothing has happened," our reporter said.

"No group has claimed responsibility so far."

A car bomb detonated just as a military formation began to march at Eagle Square, where President Goodluck Jonathan was on hand for the celebration.

Five minutes later, a second car bomb detonated, killing at least seven people.

The 50th independence anniversary ceremony continued without interruption, though attendees clearly recognized something had gone wrong.