PEOPLE PUTTING OUT FIRE AT THE SCENE OF BOMB BLAST AT THE GOMBE LINE MOTOR PARK IN GOMBE ON FRIDAY

20 feared killed, 28 injured in Bauchi blast

Posted by: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Austine TSENZUGHUL, Bauchi in Featured, News 12 hours ago

A bomb explosion yesterday killed about 20 people and injured 28 others near an automated teller machine (ATM) stand in Azare, the second largest town in Bauchi State.

\elieved to resemble the style of the sect.

Angry citizens of Azare were said to have lynched two suspected Boko Haram members at the explosion spot.

No fewer than 15 of the corpses were being prepared for burial last night.

But a probe had been launched into the incident with military and police anti-bomb experts drafted to the town located in Katagum Local Government Area.

The military last night ordered troops to be on the alert in Plateau, Jigawa and Kano states, following renewed attack on Azare.

A reliable source who spoke with our correspondent said the blast occurred at about 9 am yesterday at the First Bank ATM stand along Kano Road in Azare.

The road harbours many banks, making it a busy axis of the commercial town.

The source said: “We learnt that three suicide bombers came around in a Golf car and joined the long queue to withdraw cash.

“While on the queue, they detonated the bomb which killed more than 20 people on the spot. More than 28 others were injured.

“We suspected that some of the bombers were killed in the blast which shook all the banks and buildings nearby.

“It was obvious that the targets were the innocent citizens on queue to withdraw money. They were mostly those with savings accounts and workers who came for their October salaries.

“Disturbed by the development, angry mob descended on two suspected Boko Haram members and lynched them. Two motorcycles suspected to belong to the sect were also set ablaze.

Another source added: “Some people also alleged that three men came from the Kano Road end of Azare in a ash colour Golf car and threw bombs at those on the queue through their car window while speeding off.

“What they did was to target the time workers usually come around to collect salaries. The explosion left many wounded but the people of the town mobilised to take them to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare.”

Meanwhile, following the explosion in Azare, the military has directed troops in Plateau, Kano and Jigawa states to be on the alert to “smoke out”

Boko Haram insurgents who may want to relocate from Bauchi State to strike.

A military source said: “We know their tactics; they may retreat to neighbouring states to cover up their tracks.

“This is why we have placed troops on the alert in these states to repel the insurgents.”

It will be recalled that on October 23, 2014, there was an explosion at the Azare Motor Park, which killed several persons and injured many.

Efforts to get the spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command’s, Haruna Mohammed’s comment were fruitless as he did not respond to calls made to his phone. He also did not respond to three text messages sent to his phone.