Bomber shouts ‘Sai Buhari’, kills 50 in abattoir

monjola sotubo

June 3, 2015 8:21 AM

State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Opadokun, made the disclosure while speaking to journalists in the capital city.

Scene of explosion (Photo used for illustrative purposes only)

A suicide bomber who attacked an abattoir in Maiduguri, Borno State yesterday, June 2, 2015, shouted ‘Sai Buhari’ before blowing himself up, the police have said.

State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Opadokun, made the disclosure while speaking to journalists in the capital city.

Opadokun said that the attacker, “who was shouting “Sai Buhari,’’ danced close to the abattoir, before detonating the bomb strapped to his body when people had gathered around him.

‘Sai Buhari’ is an accolade which was used during the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari to signify that he and he alone is the people’s choice.

Reuters reports that 50 people died in the blast citing eyewitnesses and hospital sources but Opadokun said only 5 people had been confirmed dead.

“Five people, including himself, died, while eight others sustained injuries,” the commissioner said.

Buhari has made clear his resolve to fight Boko Haram, which is believed to be behind the attack and on Tuesday met with the country’s service chiefs with a view to tackling terrorism in the country.

The President will also visit Niger and Chad from today, Wednesday, June 3, to discuss the cross-border fight against the sect.

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