Bauchi explosion death toll rises to 31

From Ahmed Kaigama,Bauchi

The deaths recorded in the Sunday bomb blast at the Kasuwan Jagol, a busy phone market in Azare,Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi state has risen to 31 while 30 patients are currently on admission.

The Chief Medical Director of Azare Medical Centre, Dr. Abduallhi Ibrahim told newsmen that the hospital recorded 17 deaths and 30 of the victims of the bomb explosion are on admission.

While giving the breakdown of the causality figure, Dr. Ibrahim said out of the 17 that died in the hospital 14 are victims of the explosion and 3 are suspected suicide bombers.

He confirmed that doctors and nurses have defied Joint Health Workers Union strike to attend to the victims of the bomb blast and that the patients are responding to treatment.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed confirmed that one person identified as one of the insurgents was lynched to death by mob action.

Meanwhile, as at last night the Police spokesman confirmed 13 persons dead while 65 sustained various degrees of injuries out of which 43 have been treated and discharged and 22 others are responding to treatment.

This brings the total of causality figure of the explosion to 31 and 22 on admission. He added that the scene of the explosion was visited and cordoned off by Police explosive ordinance disposal unit while casualties were evacuated to the Federal Medical Center Azare for medical attention.

Haruna disclosed that normalcy has been restored in Azare by combine security forces and patrols are being intensified within and outside the town.