Six persons have been confirmed dead in an attack

Jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the bomb explosion that rocked a drinking bar at a cattle market in Mashaya market, Iware community in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Six persons have been confirmed dead in the attack which occurred on Tuesday while about 20 persons are currently receiving treatment at two hospitals.

Those with critical cases were referred to Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Jalingo.

In a statement released in Arabic on Wednesday, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) said it had detonated the bomb, “killing and wounding nearly 30 Christians and damaging the bar.”

According to Channels TV, the statement translated by SITE Intelligence which monitors jihadist activities worldwide, said the attack was “revenge” for the death of two of the group’s leaders, without giving further details.

Meanwhile, the owner of the beer parlour where the bomb exploded said all she heard was a sound like thunder before passing out.

Elizabeth Danjuma, who confirmed that the bomb exploded at her shop, could barely speak and was still in shock when approached on her hospital bed.

“Honestly, what I know was that I heard a sound like thunder and blanked out. By the time I regained consciousness, I didn’t know I was wounded,” she said.

“I saw some others affected by the blast and that was how we were all brought here. I have been selling my drinks in the beer market for over one year and nothing like this has ever happened.

“The bomb was brought here in a polythene bag and the person told someone to keep it for him that he would be back.

“After he left, the explosive device went off and caused the havoc we are all suffering now. I was not the one that collected the polythene bag from him.”