Government Lodge Torched In Yobe as Boko Haram returns to Gombe,

Many people were killed yesterday following a bomb blast that rocked the biggest and busiest market, Central Market in Bauchi, the state capital yesterday evening. In fact, it was a rain of bombs across Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe states. 

Just about a month ago, Boko Haram bombers attacked Gombe Line park, killing scores of people. Also, 19 people have been confirmed dead  by the Gombe State Police Command with 25 others injured following an explosion at Dukku motorpark in the metropolis yesterday. This is even as insurgents stormed Geidam in Yobe State Sunday evening, attacking the Government Lodge among other public buildings.

“There was bomb explosion at the Bauchi Central Market on December 22, 2014 at about 17:30hrs. As a result of the blast, the market was in flames.

“Scene was cordoned off by combined security forces including police explosive ordinance disposal unit. The Commissioner of Police visited the scene for on-the-spot assessment,” spokesman of the police command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed in a statement.

According to Mohammed, “it is too early to ascertain the level of casualties and damages now, because rescue operation is still on-going, while effort by the Fire Service is on to put out the fire”

The  Gombe police command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Fwaje Atajiri, a Deputy Superintendent, told newsmen that when the incident occurred, the police immediately went to the park, cordoned off the area and helped in the rescue of injured persons.

However, the Secretary of the Red Cross in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu, who was at the scene of the blast, told reporters earlier that they evacuated 20 bodies and 18 injured persons a few minutes after the blast.

He said most of the bodies were blown up and could not be recognized. According to him, both the corpses and the injured were conveyed to three hospitals.

An eyewitness and a driver operating at the park, Ibrahim Likita, said he saw 21bodies being evacuated after the blast occurred some few minutes before 11:00 am, when a Sharon bus was being loaded with passengers for Bajoga.

Another eyewitness who did not disclose his name, stated that a lady accompanied to the park by an unidentified male had left her hand bag in the vehicle and went out to escort the man and was being expected back in the vehicle to take off when the explosion occurred.

The eyewitness, who claimed to have participated in the evacuation of the corpses said he counted 10 bodies apart from those whose bodies were blown up.

Mallam Ibrahim Mamuda (a.k.a Danladi Black) also told journalists that in the past, security checks were being carried out at the entrance of the park, but had long been abandoned.

Gombe, the Gombe State capital has in the past few months recorded terrorist attacks at the Gombe line motor park , the residence of Governor, Isa Yuguda, the Nigerian Army 301 Artillery Regiment Quarter Guard and recently, the Dukku motorpark which had claimed several lives.

Governor Yuguda has condemned the Monday attack, describing it as a most unfortunate and barbaric incident aimed at disrupting the peace the state is enjoying.

The governor, according to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Deacon Ishola Michael Adeyemi, lambasted the attackers, describing them as cowards, who are always happy in splitting innocent blood without any justification.

Yuguda, however, reassured the people that his administration will not relent in its efforts to ensure that lives and property of law-abiding citizens are protected at all cost, adding that the government has always collaborated with security agents to maintain peace.

While sympathizing with all those who lost their loved ones in the dastardly attack, Yuguda assured that government will ensure that the perpetrators were promptly apprehended and brought to book.

Meanwhile, scores were killed Sunday evening in a fresh attack on Geidam, a border town in Yobe State by Boko Haram even as troops moved to reclaim the town from the insurgents. A Government Lodge was one of the buildings attacked.

A source told Daily Sun that some terrorists raided Geidam, the country home of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, about 180 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital, Sunday evening.

The insurgents arrived in the town located on the Nigeria-Niger border at about 4:30pm, shooting and throwing explosives into houses, public buildings and business premises. “Many people have been killed. I can confirm to you that so far, five people I know were killed by the attackers as I run out of the town, but I am sure several people have been killed during the incident,” a witness, who opted for anonymity, said yesterday after fleeing to Damaturu.

A security source said the insurgents destroyed telecommunication masts in the town, set ablaze a police station, Government Lodge and other public facilities. The source said the attack lasted till the early hours of yesterday, adding that many residents fled into the bush.

Meanwhile, soldiers have reclaimed Goniri, one of the towns captured by Boko Haram in Yobe  since August in Gujba LGA, a source said. Though, there was no official confirmation from the military, but an officer told Daily Sun the operation was still ongoing.

He said troops moved into Goniri, about 40 kilometres, east of Damaturu on Saturday, adding that efforts are still ongoing to clear the terrorists from the town.”