BLASTS KILL OVER 25 IN GOMBE, BAUCHI

At least 25 people were killed in explosions that hit a motor park and a market in Gombe and Bauchi towns respectively, officials confirmed yesterday.

About 50 others were injured many of them critically in the two incidents and are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in the two states.
In Gombe19 people, most of them said to be passengers were killed when an explosive device went off before noon.
Twenty four others were injured in the explosion that occurred at Tashan Dukku Motor Park in Tudun Wada area of the Metropolis, police said.
According to witnesses the blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by a certain woman who came to the park pretending to be a passenger.
She was said to have dropped a bag containing the device among passengers’ luggage in the boot of a Sharon bus and left the park few minutes before the explosion occurred.
A witness told Daily Trust, “It happened at about few minutes to 11am while we were sitting in front of a boutique in the park as passengers board vehicles to various destinations.
‘’Suddenly we heard a loud noise from one of the vehicles. Then we saw body parts and debris soar into the air. Soon the ground was strewn with flesh and blood. We soon discovered to our horror that we were covered in blood and human flesh as well.”
Addressing journalists shortly after the blast, the command’s Public Relations Officer DSP Fwaje Atajiri, confirmed that 19 people were killed and 24 others sustained injuries in the blast.
He said no arrest had been made, but that investigation had begun. He added that just last week a vehicle loaded with cylinders of IEDs were intercepted by a joint team of police and the Army in Bajoga in Funakaye local government area and the explosives were safely dismantled.
Atajiri called on the general public to be vigilant and always provide information that will help the police serve them better.
Some angry youths went on protest shortly after the blast and pelted security agents with stones at the scene of the blast. They also turned their anger at the ruling party in the state as they chanted: “Ba mu son PDP.” “wannan aikin PDP ne” meaning we don’t want PDP, this is the handiwork of the PDP.” They went ahead to destroy the party’s posters and Bill boards.
Barely a month ago a similar incident happened at the Gombe Line Bus Station in which 24 people were killed and another one at the same park where the bomber was burnt down by irate youths at the park after he was apprehended with a bag said to contain explosive devices.
In Bauchi, the blast occurred in the evening at Bauchi Central Market, but there were conflicting figures regarding the number of casualties. While
Bauchi State Commissioner of Health Dr Sani Malami said six dead bodies and 19 injured people were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, an official of State Emergency Management Agency SEMA involved in rescue operation agreed six people were killed but said were 25 injured.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Haruna Mohammed said it was too early to ascertain the level of casualties and damages because rescue operation was still ongoing, while effort by fire service was ongoing to put out the fire.
A source who was involved in the evacuation of the corpses and rescue of the injured victims, confirmed that the explosion occurred when people were about to make their last minutes shopping before the market closed for the day.
A trader said hoodlums were trying to take the advantage of the situation.
Governor Isa Yuguda has condemned the blast describing it as a most unfortunate and barbaric act aimed at disrupting the peace in the state.
The Governor, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Ishola Michael Adeyemi, condemned the perpetrators, describing them as cowards who are always happy shedding innocent blood.
He however reassured the people of the State that his administration will not relent in its efforts to ensure that lives and property of law-abiding citizens were protected at all cost adding that the administration has always collaborated with security agents to maintain peace and peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of the state.
While sympathizing with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack, the Governor assured them that government will ensure that the perpetrators of the criminal act were promptly apprehended and brought to book.
He urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any questionable character to security agents for prompt action