by Tolu Orekoya

The suicide bomber lay bleeding on the hospital gurney, missing his fingers and some of his lower extremities, and his face covered with his own blood. He was being treated at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where he was taken after the deadly package in his backpack detonated, but died from his extensive injuries on Wednesday.

Before his death however, he confessed to the police that he was part of a wave of members of the terrorist cell coming into the city to carry out his assignments in “God’s name.”

The bomber had travelled almost 400km using public transportation from Yola, Adamawa State to Bauchi with the device strapped to his back. However a careless mistake as he placed the bomb on the ground to relieve himself in a corner, probably saved countless lives as the improvised explosive device (IED) detonated unexpectedly, injuring the suspect.

In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Idris Abubakar, he said, “On June 19, at about 5.05pm, an anonymous caller informed the Divisional Police Officer, Township, Bauchi, that there was an explosion opposite ANPP Secretariat along Gombe road, Bauchi. The police went to the scene and on arrival, a young man was found at the scene seriously injured.Upon search by the police bomb experts, it was discovered that the unidentified man was hit by an improvised explosive device he was carrying. We recovered one revolver pistol and five rounds of life ammunition on him.”

The bomber also confessed that he was a member of the Islamist Sect, Boko Haram, and that he was one of many being sent into Bauchi.

A search of the bomber also revealed a gun, taken away as evidence by the police.