From David Hassan, Gombe
Barley 24 hours after a suspected female bomber met her waterloo when soldiers identified her as and shot her dead, another bomber yesterday killed himself when he attempted to bomb ECWA 3 in Gombe.
A close source who spoke to our correspondent said the incident occurred at 7:30 AM yesterday when a suicide bomber took advantage of a new year day which he believed that many worshippers would attend morning service that would enable him strike the area in order to destroy lives and properties of citizens.
According to the source, the plan made by the bomber failed when he could not penetrate into the premises of the church and the explosion went off killing the bomber and injuring two Boys’ Brigade officers who were at the gate of the church screening worshippers who came to attend morning service.
He said the two Brigade personnel were taken to Gombe Specialist Hospital for treatment, adding that the incident had paralysed the celebration of the New Year.
Speaking further, the source also confirmed to our correspondent that ECWA 3 has been targeted long ago even as he said in 2011 post-election violence, the church suffered in the hands of hoodlums.
The Police on Thursday confirmed the bomb explosion at the entrance of Tudun Wada ECWA Church, Gombe.
Spokesperson of the state Police Command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe that a suicide bomber rode on a motorcycle and tried to enter the church a few minutes after 8 am.
“He came with a motorcycle and tried to enter the place but as a result of the security measures put in place, he was blocked and the bomb exploded instantly and he was killed,” Atajiri said.
He called on the public to remain vigilant and also report any suspicious movement around them.
An eye witness, Malam Aminu Muhammad, whose house is close to the blast scene, told NAN that he was indoors when he heard a loud sound. “When I heard the sound, I immediately came out, and what I saw was horrible.
“I just saw human parts scattered everywhere with blood and pieces of motorcycle which the suicide bomber rode on,” Muhammad said.
Malam Abdullahi Isah, the Secretary, Gombe Specialist Hospital, said 10 injured persons were brought to the hospital.
According to him, the victims sustained various injuries and were undergoing a treatment, adding that one of them was taken to the theatre.
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