Bomb blasts rocked the 23 Artillery Brigade headquarters in Bauchi at about 8.25 p.m yesterday, killing five people and injuring several others. The commissioner of Police, Muhammed Indabawa confirmed the casualties during a telephone interview with journalists.
The Public Relations Officer of the Brigade, Major Etete also confirmed that two bombs exploded at the Shadawaka Army barracks. Major Etete, however, said details of the explosions and the casualty figure were still sketchy.
When reporters visited the scene, they met the State Security Services (SSS) Director, Tosin Ajayi and the Commander of 23 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Agbo Robinson assessing the situation.
Both declined detailed comment, saying it was too early.
The affected area was mainly the Mammy Market, which had been cordoned off.
At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital victims were still being brought into the emergency department as at press time. An eyewitness said, he and his friends were at the Mammy Market drinking when they heard two explosions in quick succession.
The witness who declined to be identified said the incident happened about 8.00p.m.
“When we heard the first explosion, we all came out. We saw a huge ball of fire from where we were seated. Before we knew it, we heard the second explosion and everybody started shouting bomb, bomb, bomb.”
He said there was confusion as people ran for dear life out of the barracks.
“I jumped inside my car and drove as far as I could towards the gate, but there was a heavy traffic as the soldiers started conducting stop and search.”
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