According to multiple sources,[1][2] the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a warning less than an hour before the first bomb stating the location, near Eagle Square (the venue of the celebration), and the time, around 10:30 a.m., of planned bombings.

[2] A former leader of MEND, Henry Okah, was arrested in South Africa following the twin car bombings.

[4] Okah denied accusations of planning the bombings and was disowned by MEND.

[5] Police in Nigeria also detained Raymond Dokpesi, campaign manager for former President Ibrahim Babangida, for questioning over the bombing.

[6] Nigerian newspaper This Day reported that British intelligence was warned of a plot against the 50th anniversary celebrations, and this was the reason that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester cancelled their trips to Nigeria for the celebration.