UPDATED: 15 people feared killed in Bauchi market blast

A bomb explosion has occurred at a market in Bauchi State, hours after a blast killed nearly 20 people in Gombe State.

Details of the latest attack are sketchy, but one witness said the blast occurred at about 5:30 p.m. as traders were preparing to close for the day.

Some witnesses said at least 15 people were killed in the attack. They said the explosion occurred near a police outpost inside the market.

A witness, who identified himself as Mu’azu Musa, said he saw charred bodies of victims evacuated from the scene of the blast.

Mr. Musa, an Okada rider, said he was by the roundabout near the market when the blast occurred, throwing down from his motorcycle.

Victims of the attack were seen evacuated from the scene by Red Cross officials to the Trauma Centre of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).

Speaking with journalists at the hospital, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Council (CMAC) of the hospital in charge of clinical matters, Dr Saidu Kadas, said that the actual figure of casualties could not be ascertained yet as victims were still being taken to the hospital.

He, however, assured that the teaching hospital was in a better stead to handle the situation as most of its health workers had been mobilised to attend to the victims.

Also speaking, the chairman of the ATBUTH branch of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Idris Ado, said health workers who were on strike had been directed to report for work Tuesday to take care of the victims.

The police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the attack but said he had no details yet.

The blast came hours after another explosion killed 19 people in neighbouring Gombe State.

Police said the Gombe attack occurred at a crowded bus station, and that 25 people were injured.
A similar attack occurred in Gombe October 31 killing 23 people.