By Suzan Edeh

Bauchi — The death toll in Monday evening’s bomb explosion at the busy central market area of Bauchi has risen to 17 while 27 injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

Giving the casualty figure to journalists yesterday, Chairman of State Emergency Agency, SEMA, Relief Distribution Committee, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Bello, said the hospital recorded 17 deaths, adding that 27 of the victims were currently on admission in the hospital.

Bello stated that 15 others have been treated and discharged.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command had confirmed on Monday night that seven people were killed during the explosion, while 25 others sustained varying degree of injuries.

According to a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Haruna Mohammed, of the 25 injured victims, six were treated and discharged, while 19 others were responding to treatment.

DSP Mohammed, however, assured that normalcy had been restored by combined security forces and patrols were being intensified within and outside the town.

He said investigation into the bomb explosion was in progress.