7 dead, 19 injured in Bauchi market explosion

The Police in Bauchi State said seven persons died, while 25 others had sustained various injuries in the explosion that occurred at the Bauchi market on Monday.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this in a telephone interview in Bauchi.

Mr. Mohammed said six out of the 25 injured persons had been treated and discharged, while the remaining 19 were responding to treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, Bauchi.

The casualty figure as given by the police contradicts the figure given by witnesses who say they counted at least 15 bodies.

The conflicting figures by authorities and witnesses have become common place amid belief authorities often claim lesser casualty figure to downplay the magnitude of attacks.

Mr. Mohammed also said that three persons have been arrested for looting during the incident.

The police spokesperson said normalcy had been restored in the market by a combined team of security forces, while patrol has been intensified within and outside the area.

He said that investigation had commenced to ascertain the cause of the explosion and the extent of damage.

Credit: NAN