Twelve Years After Nyanya Tragedy, Justice Catches Up with Bombing Convict
More than a decade after one of Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist attacks shattered lives and plunged the nation into mourning, the wheels of justice have finally caught up with one of the men linked to the horrific bombing of Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja.
On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced 37-year-old Zakaria Garba to death by hanging for his role in the 2014 Nyanya bomb explosions that claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left scores of others with life-altering injuries.
The judgment, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, marked another significant chapter in Nigeria’s long-running battle against terrorism. Garba, who pleaded guilty to a five-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government, was convicted and handed multiple sentences, including two death penalties, life imprisonment, and lengthy prison terms.
As the court pronounced its verdict, Justice Omotosho offered a solemn parting remark to the convict: “May God have mercy on you.”
For many Nigerians, particularly families of the victims, the ruling rekindles painful memories of a tragedy that shook the Federal Capital Territory and exposed the devastating reach of terrorist violence.
According to court records, Garba and accomplices still at large were involved in planning and coordinating the bombing of Nyanya Motor Park through the use of explosive devices. The attack turned a bustling transport hub into a scene of carnage, killing over 70 people and injuring many others.
The court found that Garba knowingly participated in the conspiracy and in the execution of the attack, which was intended to cause mass casualties among unsuspecting members of the public.
Justice Omotosho sentenced him to 35 years imprisonment each on two counts, life imprisonment on another count, and death by hanging on two separate counts relating to the detonation of explosives and participation in acts of terrorism that resulted in multiple deaths.
Garba, who reportedly told investigators that he made a living selling tea and bread, became one of several terrorism suspects convicted during the just-concluded Abuja mass trial.
The court also handed prison terms to other defendants who pleaded guilty to separate terrorism-related charges. Ali Mohammed received a combined 40-year sentence on two counts, while Isa Saleh and Tujan Mohammed were each sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Another defendant, Salisu Bala, was convicted on one count and jailed for 20 years but was acquitted on two other counts.
The proceedings formed part of the Federal Government’s ongoing prosecution of terrorism suspects, a process usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, but recently relocated to Abuja.
Speaking after the trial, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to confronting terrorism and ensuring public safety.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” he said.
For survivors and relatives of those who perished in Nyanya, the verdict may not erase the trauma of that dark day in 2014. Yet, after years of waiting, it offers a measure of closure and a reminder that accountability, though sometimes delayed, can still prevail.
The Nyanya bombing remains one of the most painful reminders of the human cost of terrorism in Nigeria—a tragedy whose scars continue to linger in the memories of victims, families, and a nation determined never to forget.
