Fresh Explosions Kill 10 in Bauchi

This Day

23 January 2012

Fresh Explosions Kill 10 in Bauchi

Barely 48 hours after the multiple blasts in Kano that killed scores of people; three explosions Sunday rocked two places of worship in Fadaman Mada and Railways Quarters at the Tafawa Balewa area of Bauchi metropolis. Eight civilians were killed in the explosion.

Besides the blasts, some gunmen engaged a combined team of military and police personnel in a gun battle which resulted in the death of a deputy superintendent of police named Adeleke and a Nigerian Army lance corporal.

THISDAY gathered that the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, was initially targeted at a new generation bank located in the area.

Confirming the incidence, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba, said the gunmen in an attempt to beat a retreat from Tafawa Balewa area and escape through a route at Mararraba Liman Katagum, attacked the combined team of police and military personnel in the exchange of fire, killing a military personnel on the spot.

According to him, "Investigations into the case by the police revealed that 10 unexploded improvised explosive device were recovered at the scene of the crime and six persons arrested by security agents in connection with the attack."

He also said those arrested "...are currently helping the police to tidy up investigations, while efforts have been intensified to round-up the fleeing gunmen".