Female suicide bomber kills 19 in Gombe motor park

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 thatthey report suspicious movements in their midst.