Female suicide bomber kills 19 in Gombe motor park

At least 19 people were killed and more than 40
others wounded on Monday when a female
suicide bomber detonated explosives at Dukku
motor park in Gombe, Gombe State.
The bomber was said to have disguised herself as
a passenger with the lethal weapon hidden in a
sack, which she used in deceiving other
passengers at the park.
Eyewitnesses said the incident happened at about
10.50am when the park was said to be filled with
passengers, who were eager to travel out of the
state capital to their respective destinations for
the Yuletide.
The female bomber was said to have detonated
the explosives on her near a Sharoon bus that
was already filled with passengers.
“The bomber chose her target carefully because
she timed when the bus was fully loaded with
passengers. It appeared she was standing by and
observing before carrying out her nefarious act,”
an eyewitness said.
Two buses were completely burnt, while majority
of the victims were said to be hawkers and
passengers.
One of the visitors to the park believed the
bomber would not have succeeded if there had
been serious screening at the gate.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state
command, Fwaji Atajiri, confirmed the incident.
He said 19 people died while 25 were injured,
adding that the police had already condoned off
the area.
The police spokesman said the casualties had
been taken to mortuary, adding that the injured
were being treated at the Gombe Specialist
Hospital.
Atajiri called on the general public to assist
security agencies by ensuring that they report
suspicious movements in their midst.