Gombe Blast: Only suicide bomber died — Police

A suicide bomber who detonated an explosive in Gombe on Tuesday, was the only casualty in the attack, the police have said.

The blast occurred around the Kasuwan mata area of Gombe metropolis Tuesday evening.
Witnesses had said at least three people, including the bomber, were killed in the attack. They also suggested the attack was carried out by a girl.

But speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, the Gombe police spokesperson, Fwaje Atajiri, said the bomber rode a motorcycle-laden with Improvised Explosive Devices, and was targeting worshippers observing the sunset prayer at a Mosque in the area.

“He died from the blast and his efforts were frustrated by the adequate security arrangements put in place to secure the state,” Mr. Atajiri said.

The Police spokesperson also said security personnel who arrived the venue of the blast were attacked by hoodlums who threw stones at them.

“They were trying to stop officers from cordoning off the area and some of them began to break into peoples’ shops to steal, we had to use minimum force to disperse them,” he said.

The attack followed a series of bombings in Gombe State, carried out by suspected Boko Haram militants.