Ogenyi Onazi
says he feels fortunate to be alive after he narrowly avoided last week’s
bombings in the city of Jos.The blasts at a crowded bus terminal and market
killed at least 118 people.Onazi, 21, who was born in Jos, had just left the
popular Jos Main Market last Tuesday, when the first blast rocked the area.The
midfielder, who plays for Italian Serie A side Lazio, said: “I am very, very
lucky, just by the grace of God.”Onazi is now with the Super Eagles squad in
London as they prepare for today’s friendly against Scotland and he says he has
been struggling to erase the memories of that dark day.Recounting his lucky
escape, he told BBC Sport: “It was just like an ordinary day. Happy faces and
friendly warmth that makes you feel happy to be back home.“We had gone to the
railway market to get something. I think it was 15 minutes later when we heard
the loud blast from the place. And suddenly, people were just running.“There
was chaos and pandemonium. There was smoke, I was confused, lost and just
wondered what had happened. I had no idea what was going on and it was
scary.“All my life I have never heard a bang or boom like that.”The second
blast killed some of the rescue workers who had rushed to the scene, which was
obscured by billows of black smoke.A week later, far away from the city where
his parents are based and preparing for his first World Cup with the Super
Eagles, Onazi insists the unrest back home has made it difficult to focus on
football.“Some will say I should be happy to be alive but I just feel concerned
about the security challenges in Jos and Nigeria as a country,” he said.“I was
born and bred in a peaceful Jos. I may be fortunate enough to live outside the
place right now, but I still have my family and friends who live in the city.“I
always get worried when there are reports of terrible incidents there on a
regular basis. It’s sad and depressing to live with this.“Personally, I think
there is a need for a holistic approach to solving this problem once and for
all.“Innocent people are dying and the government seriously needs to step up
security across the country.”Another blast happened in Jos days after that
incident, in an explosion that targeted football fans watching the European
Champions League final, the authorities said.At least three people died and
three others were injured in the blast, according to Chris Olakpe, the
commissioner of police for Plateau state.