Car bombs explode as Nigeria celebrates anniversary

Two car bombs exploded outside Nigeria’s federal court today, leaving at least three wounded.

A witness said he saw three people lying on the ground in front of the court.

An explosion was also reported by witnesses near an event in Abuja to celebrate Nigeria’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The blast came just before a parade was set to begin in Eagle Square. A security agent was seen lying on the ground near the blast.

The event, attended by President Goodluck Jonathan, was continuing without interruption.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the main militant group in Nigeria’s oil-rich southern delta, issued a threat to journalists today promising to bomb the event.

In the message, the group said that there was “nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure”.