BAUCHI: 13 killed, 34 injured as gunmen in military uniform attack hotel

Thirteen people were killed and 34 injured when gunmen attacked a hotel in Bauchi, Bauchi State on Friday night. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Haruna Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the attack occurred at Peoples Hotel, Bayan Gari area of Bauchi metropolis. He said corpses of the deceased had been deposited at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, while the injured were receiving treatment at the same hospital. Military, police and Nigeria Red Cross personnel were already at the scene when NAN correspondent visited on Saturday morning. An eye-witness, Malam Ahmed Maidoki told NAN that five persons in military uniform carried out the attack by detonating explosives and shooting at random. “We were just sitting down, watching highlights of the ongoing FIFA world cup at the viewing centre located in between the two story building of the hotel when five men dressed in military uniform strolled in. “We thought they were security personnel, who came to relax as well. I noticed they all positioned themselves at the four corners of the hall. “The next thing I heard was an explosion, after which the arena was covered with thick smoke. Shivering, my friends and I sprawled on the ground. “We were trying to get out when the five men started shooting sporadically at any one who tried to stand up, and in the process, killing many of the survivors of the blast’’, he said. Another eye-witness, Usman Hassan, said he was just about to enter the hotel when the blast occurred and immediately ran away from the scene. “As soon as I was a bit far from the scene, I heard gun-shots. Few minutes later, a white Toyota Hillux vehicle zoomed out of the hotel on high speed with men wearing army uniforms”, he said. (NAN)