An explosion at the Gombe Central market in the heart of the Gombe State capital, has left no fewer than 50 persons killed.
A resident of the town, Ibrahim Mohammed, said on the telephone that the blast hit the market at about 5.32pm on Thursday.
Mohammed, who said he was not far from the scene of the explosion, told our correspondent that the number of casualties had yet to be known.
“I saw rescue workers and security agents mobilising to evacuate the dead and the injured,” he added.
The market is always busy while activities heightened on Thursday ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr.
However, a Red Cross official has confirmed that more than 30 people were killed in the twin blasts.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the blasts, which went off.
“I have 30 bodies in bags and I am sure there are more out there,” said the Red Cross official, who was involved in the evacuation and wanted to remain anonymous.
An official from the National Emergency Management Agency also confirmed that the attacks had taken place and many people were hurt.
President Muhammadu Buhari has made crushing the insurgents his top priority, but hundreds have been killed in bombings and shootings since he was inaugurated on May 29.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the state Commissioner of Police, Kudu Nma, said, “there was a bomb blast either on a suicide mission or EIDs were kept somewhere, with the view to causing panic and apprehension to people.”
According to him, the bomb exploded at the central market Sabon Layi, where they sell slippers and clothes.
“People were busy shopping, preparatory to Sallah festival. The casualties are yet to be ascertained. As you can see, people are busy working, trying to save lives. For now, we cannot tell you the number of casualties.”
He said the police had condoned off the place to avoid looting, adding that calm had been restored to the place.
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