A deadly explosion has ripped through the First Bank Area of Azare, a major town in Bauchi state, residents are reporting.

Although details of the incident are still sketchy, several people are feared dead.

The explosion is said to have gone off close to the First Bank’s Automated Teller Machine Gallery in the town.

“Confirmed. I just spoke with my sister in-law working at Federal Medical Centre Azare. It happened at First Bank ATM Gallery,” Nurudeen Gbemisola, with handle @gbemifizzy, informed her friends on Twitter.

The casualty figure in the explosion is not clear at this time.

A top police officer in Bauchi, who asked not to be named because he has no authority to speak on behalf of the police, confirmed the bombing but declined to provide details.

The spokesperson of the Bauchi Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, could not be reached for comments at this time. So also is Commissioner Lawal Shehu. They did not answer or return calls seeking comment.

Details later…