Bombers, herdsmen kill 36 in Bauchi, Nasarawa

Scene of an attack.

At least 36 people have been killed in three separate attacks by gunmen and suspected cattle rustlers in Bauchi and Nasarawa states.

Fifteen of them were victims of twin bomb blasts in a crowded motor park along Kano Road in Azare, Bauchi State on Wednesday evening.

The blasts happened shortly after information filtered into the town that a man identified simply as Matthew was killed at about 9pm same day in Fur, Bogoro Local Government Area of the state.

The attackers were said to have taken away Matthew’s head and one leg.

Although the state police command put the death toll at five, an eyewitness told our correspondent that he counted 15 bodies at the scenes of the blasts.

He added that several others were critically injured while many shops and vehicles in the park were destroyed.

The witness said, “As I am talking to you, there are about 15 bodies on the ground following the bomb blasts. Several others were injured and I can confirm to you that the situation is so bad. Some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition and they they can hardly be put together for burial.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, who said on Thursday that five persons were burnt beyond recognition, added that the injured were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare for treatment.

Mohammed said that the area had been cordoned off by the Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit from the state Command headquarters in Bauchi.

Regretting the incident, he assured the residents of the state that the police had commenced investigation with a view to ascertaining and arresting the bombers.

He urged resident to always report strangers and people with questionable character to security agencies.

Our correspondent also gathered that 20 people were slaughtered in Kampany and Bakun Allu in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State, by Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday night.

During the three-hour attack which began at about 11pm, the herdsmen also burnt 40 houses and left hundreds of residents displaced.

A military source, who craved anonymity, said the attack was carried out like the Boko Haram insurgents.