Suicide Bomber Attacks Maiduguri Mosque

A suicide bomber supposed to be a member of the deadly Boko Haram sect has attacked a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno state.

The onslaught occurred early today, October 23, as Muslims gather at a mosque to observe morning prayers in the old GRA area in the troubled city.

According to Sahara Reporters a yet to be determined number of Muslim worshippers have been killed.

However, the witness informed about 18 victims

The explosion was carried out by a suspected lone suicide bomber, whose two accomplices escaped, when some vigilant members of the community accosted them on their suspicious movements.

Premium Times reports that two explosions, according to residents happened in Jiddari Polo area at about 5am when Muslims were performing the first congregational prayer of Friday.

Security personnel have cordoned the area while rescue and aide workers tried to evacuate corpses and wounded victims.

A spokesperson of the local Civilian-JTF, Abbas Gava, told newsmen that “it was two bomb explosion in a mosque in Jiddari Polo,  very close to the Federal High Court complex. We are still trying to get the correct figure of casualties”.

Another civilian JTF operative, who spoke anonymously from the scene of the bomb blast confirmed that “so far, we have evacuated 18 bodies to the hospital alongside many injured ones that are almost lifeless”. 

“We counted 28 dead bodies,” Umar Sani, from the militia, who helped in the rescue operation, told AFP. His information was supported by Musa Sheriff, a local resident who also helped.

The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed the bombing saying that its rescuers evacuated 6 dead bodies of the victims.

A senior health worker also confirmed that the 6 bodies have been deposited in the mortuary, while the 17 other wounded victims are being treated in Specialist and teaching hospitals in Maiduguri.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to end the activities of the insurgents by December and the Nigerian Military in a last statement issued reads: “This is to finally warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now. We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves.”

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State and the birthplace of Boko Haram in 2002, has been the epicentre of the six-year-old terrorismand repeatedly attacked since Buhari assumed office.

The city is attacked almost on a weekly basis. This latest attack occurred days after at least 30 people were killed when two suicide bombers attacked a mosque in the Mulai area.