Suspected Boko Haram terrorists continued their reign of terror in the North-east where bomb blasts in Gombe and Bauchi States resulted in the death of scores of people and left several others injured.

In Gombe, no fewer than 19 persons lost their lives on Monday, when a female bomber disguised herself as a passenger and detonated a bag of explosives at Dukku Bus Park in the state capital.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident happened at exactly 10. 50 am, when the female bomber detonated a bomb in a Sharoon bus that left at least 19 people dead, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The eyewitness said the bomber waited till passengers had already boarded the bus, adding that she left her bag in the bus and exited the vehicle before detonating the explosives.

Speaking further, the source said two other vehicles than the bus was burnt to ashes, revealing that hawkers at the bus station were among those affected by the blast.

He said the bomber would not have succeeded in her mission if there was adequate screening at the gate of the bus station.

Confirming the incident to journalists, the Police Public Relation Officer DSP Fwaji Atajiri, said 19 people were feared dead while 25 were injured.

He said the police condoned the area shortly after the blast; added that dead victims were taken to mortuaries while injured persons were rushed to the Gombe Specialist Hospital.

The police spokesman called on the general public to assist security agencies in maintaining law and order, stating the police cannot perform its civic responsibility without the assistance of the public, and urged residents to report any suspicious movements in their vicinity.

A few hours after the Gombe bomb blast, scores of people were killed in the neighbouring Bauchi State, when a bomb exploded at the Bauchi central market.
Even though there was no official confirmation on the number of casualties, THISDAY learnt that the figure might be have been high because it occurred in a crowded market when shoppers were shopping for the Christmas season.
A source who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene of the bomb blast, but was unable unable to put a figure on the number of persons affected by the attack on the market.

He however said the some of the injured victims were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical attention.
Owing to the blast in the very busy market, there was a mixture of fear and anxiety in the state capital as traders closed their shops and the streets became deserted.

Commenting on the incident, the Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, DSP Mohammed Haruna, said: “There was bomb explosion at the Bauchi central market on Monday (yesterday) at about 17.30 hours. As a result of the blast, the market went up in flames.”

According to him, the scene was cordoned off by combined security forces including the police explosives ordinance disposal unit.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Lawal, visited the scene for an on the spot assessment.

He said it was too early to ascertain the number of casualties because a rescue operation was still ongoing while the fire service was battling to put out the inferno.

Also, the Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, condemned in strong terms the attack on the market.

He described it as a most unfortunate and barbaric incident aimed at disrupting the relative peace the state has enjoyed.

The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ishola Michael Adeyemi, condemned the perpetrators of the heinous act, describing them as cowards who derive pleasure in spilling the blood of innocent victims.
He reassured the people of the state that his administration would not relent in its efforts to ensure that the lives and properties of law abiding citizens are protected at all cost, adding that the administration has always collaborated with security agents to maintain peace and the peaceful co-existence among the diverse people of the state.

While sympathizing with those who lost their loved ones, the governor said the government will ensure that the perpetrators of the criminal act are promptly apprehended and brought to book in accordance with the relevant laws of the country. He also wished all those injured quick recovery.

He said the security agencies were working round the clock to avert future recurrence of such acts and urged the public to be vigilant and report any questionable character to the security agencies for prompt action.