A bomb exploded at the premises of the Taraba Ministry of Finance on Monday, destroying part of the building and damaging valuable items.
The bomb exploded at about 8.45 a.m. when workers were resuming for work after the weekend break. Police Public Relations Officer, Ibiang Mbasike, confirmed the blast.
“Yes, there was a blast at the Ministry of Finance. There are casualties, but we are not sure of the figures for now,’’ he said.
Police sources said the bombers must have targeted the Police Commissioner as the explosive was thrown at his convoy. One of the explosives hit the rider leading the Police Commissioner’s convoy.
The Police headquarters in Taraba is 40 metres away from the main entrance into the finance ministry with the ministry’s premises forming part of the entrance into the building leading to the police commissioner’s office.
“The Police Commissioner usually has to go through the Ministry of Finance to enter his office. “He was passing by that usual route when the explosives were thrown. So the Police Commissioner’s convoy was clearly the target,’’ a top police source, who preferred anonymity said.