Bomb explosion at First Bank ATM in Bauchi, scores feared killed

A bomb concealed in a black plastic bag went off Friday morning killing several people at a First Bank ATM cash point in Azare, Bauchi state. The ATM point is just about 100metres from the bus station where a bomb had gone off on October 23, also killing many.

An explosion in Gombe recently

Witnesses said the bomber carrying the bag approached people who had queued up outside a First Bank branch at about 10:30 am.

A witness, Lamara Ibrahim was quoted by AFP as saying that “a man came on foot to this ATM where a large crowd was taking turns to withdraw money.

Ibrahim further explained that the man tried to leave a black plastic bag on a parked motorcycle nearby but was stopped by locals who insisted that leaving parcels unaccompanied was prohibited following recent unrest in the area.

“It was while they were talking to him that the bomb exploded. I saw at least 10 people that looked dead” Ibrahim added.

On October 23, a bomb blast at a bus station in the same Azare killed at least five people with many suspecting that Boko Haram was behind the attack.

Police in Bauchi are yet to comment on the incident and the casualty figures.

Although Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility for the attack, it resembled the sects other attacks.