Suspected Boko Haram members struck again on Friday night, detonating bomb in a popular hotel in Bauchi metropolis, killing no fewer than 13 and injuring 34 persons.
The incident, which occurred at about 9:50 pm, came on the heels of similar attack at Emab Shopping Plaza in Abuja last Wednesday in which 24 people were confirmed dead and 52 injured.
A survivor, Kamilu Ahmed told Sunday Sun that they were in the hotel watching World Cup football match highlights when the bomb exploded.
The hotel is among other similar joints in the Bayan Gari area where people seeking fun go to drink beer as well as patronize prostitutes.
Patrons, staffers, prostitutes, football fans and passersby were all caught in the unfortunate incident.
Ahmed said after the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated, the bombers followed up the blast with sporadic shooting of the survivors who were scampering for safety.
“What I saw at the scene was terrible. I am fortunate to be alive to talk about it,” he said.
According to Ahmed, what saved him was because he and another friend left the hotel to buy cigarette just before the blast occurred.
“My friend Musa Bala who was left and another friend were seriously wounded because they were near the blast.”
According to him, “while we were lying on the ground, I saw some of the attackers shooting immediately after the bomb exploded to ensure that nobody survives or even escapes. Though they didn’t notice us maybe because we were lying down flat on our bellies, I couldn’t ascertain their number and how they left the scene whether on foot, motorcycle or in a car.
“I saw human flesh littering the scene. Some pieces were packed and put in a Red Cross ambulance. I have never seen such a thing in my life.”
Another eyewitness, Malam Ahmed Maidoki told the News Agency of Nigeria that five persons in military uniform carried out the attack.
“We were just sitting down, watching highlights of the ongoing FIFA world cup at the viewing centre located in between the two storey building of the hotel when five men dressed in military uniform strolled in.
“We thought they were security personnel, who came to relax as well. I noticed they all positioned themselves at the four corners of the hall.
“The next thing I heard was an explosion, after which the arena was covered in thick smoke. Shivering, my friends and I sprawled on the ground.
“We were trying to get out when the five men started shooting sporadically at anyone who tried to stand up, and in the process, killing many of the survivors of the blast,’’ he said.
Usman Hassan, who also winessed the incident, said he was just about to enter the hotel when the blast occurred and immediately ran away from the scene. “As soon as I was a bit far from the scene, I heard gunshots. Few minutes later, a white Toyota Hilux vehicle zoomed out of the hotel on high speed with men wearing army uniforms,” he said.
The newly deployed Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lawal Shehu told newsmen that the bomb blast claimed 11 lives and left 28 injured. He said the police arrested one suspect.
Shehu confirmed that the blast took place about 9:50 p.m. and the injured were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for medical attention while 11 corpses were evacuated to the mortuary.
According to him, “the entire surrounding has been cordoned off and the scene secured by police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD). One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident and effort is being intensified to arrest other fleeing suspects.”
He, however, urged the public to be security conscious within their physical and social environments by paying attention to persons and objects, particularly at motor parks, markets, schools, shopping malls, eateries and hotels and to report suspicious persons within their neighbourhood to the nearest police stations.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has condemned the bomb blast.
A press statement issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ishola Michael Adeyemi said the governor commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident and wished the injured quick recovery.
Yuguda who regretted that the incident came at a time the Muslim community was beginning the holy month of Ramadan reassured that his administration would remain committed to the protection of lives and property of every citizen of the state because, according to him, “that is the primary function of the state.”
The statement further said government would not relent in ensuring that peace and peaceful atmosphere continued to reign in the state and called on the people to be vigilant and always report to the security agents any questionable movement around them, assuring that security agents were available to provide adequate security to citizens of the state.
He commended the security agents for their prompt intervention that put the act in check from spreading to other parts of the town, reassuring that the security agents would continue to work round the clock to fish out bad eggs in the society as well as ensure adequate security in the entire state.
The governor called on people to go about their normal and legitimate businesses without any fear of harassment from anybody but be mindful of the person next to them as a security measure because, according to him, “security is the business of all.”
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