UN names 21 dead Abuja office bombing victims

The Nation

15 September 2011

UN names 21 dead Abuja office bombing victims

UN Resident Co-ordinator Mr. Daouda Toure reeled out the names at a press conference in Abuja.

In all, 11 UN officials and 12 non-UN officials were killed. But the UN has not been able to identify two of the 12 dead non-UN officials. The 21 identified dead include 14 men and seven women.

The dead 11 UN officials and their designations, according to Toure, include Ms. Rahmat Abdullahi (Registry Clerk, UNDP), Mr. Musa Ali (Zonal Logistics Assistant for the North-West Zone, WHO), Mr. Johnson Awotunde (Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, UNICEF), Dr. Edward Dede (National Professional Officer, WHO), Mr. Elisha Enaburekhan (Driver, UNAIDS).

Others are: Mr. Ahmed Abiodun Adewale-Kareem (Shipping Assistant, UNICEF), Mr. Iliya David Musa (Receptionist, UN Common Services, UNDP), Mr. Ingrid Midtgaard (Associate Expert, UNODC)), Mrs. Felicia Nkwuokwu (Receptionist, UN Common Services, UNDP), Mr. Stephen Obamoh (ERT Radio Operator, UNDP) and Mr. Abraham Osunsaya (Administrative Assistant, WHO).

The 10 identified dead non-UN officials include Mr. Sunday James Ebere (Shipping Agent, Balast Agency), Mr. Ndubisi Bright (Hospitality Industry Consults), Mr. Paul Waziri (Nigeria Cleaning Services) and Ms. Kate Demehin (Federal Ministry of Health).

Others are: Ms. Caroline Micheal (Guard), Mr. Sunday Omelenyi (Guard), Mr. Yakubu Garuba (Guard), Mr. Abiodun Adeseye (Julius Berger), Ms. Patricia Ekweringe (Travel Agent) and Ms. Joy Audu (Nigeria Cleaning Services).

A memorial service will be held in front of the UN Building this morning, Toure said, adding: “These men and women lost their lives contributing to improving the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians across the country.

“We will never forget them as individuals. Nor shall we forget the passion, commitment and courage with which they proudly served the mission and ideals of the United Nations.”

Of the 116 injured people, who are receiving treatment, 64 are members of the UN officials; 36 are non-UN staff and 16 persons yet to be identified.

Toure said 17 are seriously injured victims, including 12 UN members and five non-UN officials who have been evacuated to South Africa for specialist treatment. According to him, the condition of those evacuated to South Africa has improved.