Bauchi- Police Commissioner of Bauchi State, Malam Lawal Shehu says one suspect has been arrested in connection with Friday’s attack on the People’s Hotel in the Bauchi metropolis, northern Nigeria.

Some gunmen, wearing military uniforms, had attacked the hotel in Bayangari area of the town, detonating explosives and shooting people at random, killing at least 10 and many injured, News Agency of Nigeria  reports.

Briefing newsmen on the arrest made, Lawal said that the suspect was being interrogated and efforts intensified to apprehend his accomplices that fled.

The commissioner said that the number of victims of the attack had risen from 10 dead and 14 injured, to 11 dead and 28 injured.

He urged members of the public to be security conscious and observe happenings within their immediate environment.

“The general public should pay special attention to persons and objects, particularly at motor parks, market places, schools, places of worships, shopping malls, eateries and hotels.

“They should report any suspicious persons or objects within their neighbourhood, to the nearest police station for prompt response, using these numbers – 08151849417 and 07013490795.

Meanwhile the Bauchi State Branch of the Nigerian Red Cross has condemned the attack, describing it as ‘barbaric and inhuman’.

The State’s Secretary, Malam Mohammed Bashir, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that they received a call around 9.50 on Friday night, about the attack.

“Immediately I received the call, I and my men rushed to the scene to provide First Aid treatment to the victims.

Afterwards, we, along with the State Emergency Management Agency, police, military and the SSS personnel, evacuated them to the hospital.

“We still carried out search and rescue operation at the scene this morning (Saturday) to ensure that every injured person was evacuated. It was a terrible experience, “Bashir said.

An eye-witness, an eye witness told NAN reporter earlier that Malam Ahmed Maidoki five persons in military uniform carried out the attack, detonating explosives and shooting at random.

”We were just sitting down, watching highlights of the ongoing FIFA world cup at the viewing centre located in between the two story building of the hotel when five men dressed in military uniform strolled in.

” We thought they were security personnel, who came to relax as well. I noticed they all positioned themselves at the four corners of the hall.

”The next thing I heard was an explosion, after which the arena was covered with thick smoke. Shivering, my friends and I sprawled on the ground.

”We were trying to get out when the five men started shooting sporadically at any one who tried to stand up, and in the process, killing many of the survivors of the blast “, he said.

Another eye-witness, Usman Hassan, said he was about to enter the hotel when the blast occurred and immediately ran away from the scene.

”As soon as I was a bit far from the scene, I heard gun-shots. Few minutes later, a white Toyota Hillux vehicle zoomed out of the hotel on high speed with men wearing army uniforms”, he said.

(NAN)