20 Feared killed in Bauchi Explosion

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.
The dreaded Boko Haram sect was suspected
to be behind the blast which occurred at
about 11 am, as the pattern of the attack was
believed 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.

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