Barely one week after bomb explosions rocked military formations in Kaduna, another set of bombs exploded again yesterday. A mobile policeman was killed while scores of people were injured.

The first explosion happened close to the Ungwa Sarki Market, opposite the Kaduna State Transport Authority (KSTA) motor park that houses various state transport offices and loading units, while the second explosion that killed the anti-bomb squad police officer blasted at Sultan Bello Road, also in Ungwa Sarki in Kaduna North local government area.

According to an eyewitness, shortly after the first bomb exploded, another polythene bag containing moving substances was discovered at another location, about 500m away from the first blast.

The eyewitness who sought anonymity told LEADERSHIP that the policeman showed bravery by trying to diffuse the content of the polythene bag, but which exploded tearing his body into shreds.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the blast, the body parts of the police officer littered the main road.

In the meantime, the area has been barricaded by well-armed policemen and soldiers, thereby causing heavy traffic jam. Residents of the area were seen running helter-skelter for safety.
Traders at the Ungwa Sarki Market were forced to close their shops while schools and financial institutions around the area also closed abruptly. Travellers at the KSTA motor park quickly took to their heels.

When contacted, the Kaduna police command public relations officer, DSP Aminu Lawan, confirmed the incident.
“Our officer was affected while trying to diffuse the explosives; he lost his life in the process,” Aminu said. “We have commenced a search of the entire area to ensure that another explosive is not planted around there while further investigation will be carried out.”

Meanwhile, the Ungwa Sarki youth groups have threatened to join forces with security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

One of the boys who spoke to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity said: “We are not happy with the situation and we will assist the police in bringing out those linked with the blasts once identified.” We are tired of bomb explosion every now and then, killing innocent people.”

Meanwhile, the state police command has beefed up security in the entire state, police commissioner Ballah Magaji Nasarawa has said.

Addressing newsmen at the police command headquarters hours after the bomb explosions that killed the police sergeant and wounded others, the police commissioner said security had been beefed up in the entire state to forestall future occurrence.

He said, the security agencies in the state could be reached on the following hotlines: 08123822284, 07039675856 and 08081708671 and that residents could report suspected movements of persons or objects.

The police commissioner refused to make comments on the director of finance and supply in the Ministry of Information, Pastor Isuwa Kiforo who was shot on Monday by security operatives attached to Government House in error.

http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/16406/2012/02/15/multiple_bomb_explosions_rock_kaduna_again.html