Fresh Attacks In Bauchi Claim 10 Lives

With dead bodies still being recovered in last Friday’s attack in Kano, Nigeria second biggest commercial city, latest reports indicate that there is yet no let up in what might turn out to be the country’s bloodiest weekend at peace time.

Information indicated that at least 10 lives have been lost to gun and bomb attacks in Bauchi State.

Bukata Zhyadi, a traditional ruler of mainly Christian Sayawa ethnic group in Tafawa Balewa area of the state, said on Sunday that at least ten people have been killed in overnight attacks in the area by gunmen.

He claimed the attackers were members of the mainly Muslim Hausa Fulani group who threw improvised explosives into houses while people were sleeping.

He added that those who tried to escape were also mowed down by gun attacks.

“We are going round the town checking. So far we have ten people dead and 12 wounded,” the traditional ruler of the mainly Christian Sayawa ethnic group was quoted as saying.

Mohammed Barau, Bauchi State Police spokesperson also said a policeman, a soldier and eight unidentified civilians were killed by stray bullets during a gun battle that followed the attacks.

He added that six suspects had been arrested.

Police also said bombs were thrown at a Catholic church and an evangelical church in Bauchi city, but caused minimal damage and no deaths or injuries.

It was also learnt that a bomb-laden car was found abandoned outside a petrol station in Kano but that the explosives were diffused by the police.