Three people have been confirmed dead following a bomb blast that rocked a drinking bar at a cattle market in Iware Community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State, North East Nigeria.
Nineteen other persons were severely injured and receiving treatment at various health centres within the community. The State Police Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Usman confirmed the incident.
Usman noted that this is the second time such explosion is taking place in March, with the first at a catholic school in Mutum Biyu, the headquarters of Gassol Local Government Area, 30 kilometres away.
Usman added that security operatives have swung into action and commenced investigation as well as douse the tension around the cattle market and environs.
Iware Community is known for its cattle market and attracts buyers from all over Nigeria and neigbouring Cameroon who storm the market every Tuesday to make purchases at competitive rates.
An eye witness who narrowly escaped with injuries said the alleged bomber came to the drinking joint with a friend as customers, ordered for a drink and left in separate ways.
The alleged bomber later returned, paid for the drink and dropped a polythene bag which is said to contain the explosive and stepped aside.
Not long, he left in search of his friend and seconds later, the bomb exploded. One of the suspected bombers was said to have been caught and hacked apart by the angry residents.