35 Dead In Borno Market Explosion

MAIDUGURI—Thirty-five persons were killed, yesterday, and several others injured during attacks by Boko Haram terrorists on three Borno communities. The three communities were Biu, the largest Borno town in the southern part of the state, Alkideow and Mbuta.

In Biu, a deadly explosion from a bomb that went off in a crowded market, reportedly killed 15 people with 21 others injured, according to witnesses.

Witnesses said the injured persons and corpses were being evacuated. Biu is the largest Borno town in the southern part of the state, located 187 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital.
A resident of the town, Mwajim Ali Gana said: “A suicide bomber today (yesterday) launched an attack on innocent marketers on Biu plateau”.

Another eye witness said: “I was buying some soup ingredients at the vegetable section of the market around 3:15pm and suddenly there was a heavy sound and the market was covered with dust as the entire place was thrown into confusion. Human parts littered the scene as survivors scrambled for safety”.

A member of the Biu Youth volunteer vigilante group, popularly called “Civilian JTF” involved in the rescue of the victims told Vanguard on phone that a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect entered the vegetable section of the Market and detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED), killing several people at the market.

He said so far 15 bodies have been recovered while several other people with various degrees of injuries are currently receiving medical attention at the Biu General Hospital.

A medical doctor at the Biu hospital, who pleaded anonymity, said that seven bodies were brought from the scene, while eight persons died shortly after.
He also said 21 others with severe injuries were being prepared for referral to other major hospitals within and outside the state.

Yesterday’s suicide bomb attack was the first ever suicide mission in Biu town since the commencement of the Boko Haram insurgency.
A security source in Biu said a female suicide bomber detonated an Improved Explosive Device (IED) in Biu Main market killing three persons including the suicide bomber while 10 others were injured.
He said the female suicide bomber came to the market and detonated the IED which was attached to her body at about 3:30 pm, adding that those injured were rushed to Biu General Hospital for treatment’.
“The female suicide bomber sneaked into the market through the Third Gate of the Main market, when people were busy carrying out their business activities”, he added.


Details on Vanguard

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