Boko Haram strike at praying ground

A total of 50 persons were reportedly killed in two bomb explosions in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Friday, July 17, 2015 as Muslims celebrated the Eid-el-Fitr.

According to a report by The Punch, a military source disclosed that 43 persons died in the first explosion which occurred at 7.40am at Layin Gwange and seven others in the second explosion nd ‘Phase 1’, opposite the former state secretariat in Damaturu.

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The explosions were suspected to have been caused by insurgents.

While several other people were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries from the explosions, the source further disclosed that the attacks were carried out by two female suicide bombers- an elderly woman and a 10-year-old girl- who were said to have detonated the explosive devices respectively.

Residents who confirmed the sad occurrence disclosed that the twin blasts occurred close to prayer grounds and at a time when Muslim faithful were gathering for the congregational prayer to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In the words of Musa Yusuf, a resident, 'There is apprehension in Damaturu as I’m talking to you; we are celebrating Sallah in fear with this morning explosions.'

It will be recalled that a ban on vehicular movements was announced in the state before the end of the Ramadan to forestall any breach in security.

An aid worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said as of that time, his team had evacuated “ten corpses from Phase I area.”

He said the bomb was targeted at the praying ground in the area and that several persons who were injured had been taken to a general hospital.

However, the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, in an official statement, said nine persons were killed in the attacks.

He said, 'Four persons died in the first explosion and seven people (were) injured, while five people lost their lives in the second explosion and 11 wounded.'