Fear as suicide bomber kills self in Ebonyi

Jacob Ogodo, Abalkaliki

Fear and apprehension have gripped the people of Afikpo North local government area  of Ebonyi state as a yet to be identified middle aged man suspected to be a suicide bomber at the early hours of Tuesday opposite the campus 2 of Amaizu/Amangbala Primary school, in Afikpo North blew himself up.

A resident of the area who spoke to journalists on grounds of anonymity said that on hearing the sound of the explosion, residents of the area scampered for safety.

He said that the yet to be identified young man was carrying explosives which exploded on his body killing him instantly.

He noted that after few minutes, the residents reconvened at the scene of the incident only to discover the suspected suicide bomber laying dead in the pool of his own blood.

The resident who noted that the incident happened close to the Eke Market Afikpo which happens to be the biggest market in the area said that there is tension and panic in the community following the incident.

According to the source, the suspected bomber was seen wandering within the area adding that, “I first came into a beer parlour and when the people inquired who he was, he left.”

“He moved to the schools and the gate man asked him to go back and in front of the school as he made effort to remove his clothes, the explosive exploded.”

Efforts to get the reactions of the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Loverth Odah and the State Commissioner for Internal Security, Boarder Peace and Conflict Resolutions Chief Stanley Emegha proved abortive as several calls put across to them were not answered.