Twenty-six people were killed on Saturday after a suspected suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device in a Mosque near the Monday Market in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
A trader at the market, Mallam Modu Walama, told newsmen that the blast occurred shortly before the commencement of the afternoon prayer at the mosque.
Walama said: “I had wanted to say my afternoon prayer but something told me to go inside the market.
“But immediately I left the vicinity, I heard a loud blast emanating from the mosque.”
Walama said on hearing the blast, he took to his heels to escape being injured.
“I cannot say exactly the casualty figure but I know so many people died,” Walama said.
Mallam Mohammed Abubakar, another trader, corroborated the claim.
“I think about 20 people died going by the magnitude of the blast,” Abubakar said.
Reacting, Aderemi Opadokun, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, confirmed the blast.
Opadokun said: “A suicide bomber strapped with IED exploded himself in Alhaji Haruna Mosque at Galadima Kyari drive Ali Kotoko Road near the Monday Market.
“The incident happened around 3.30pm while Asar prayer was being offered at the mosque.
“Twenty-six people were confirmed dead while 28 were injured.”
This brought to 36 the number of persons killed by Boko Haram in Maiduguri on Saturday as the dreaded sect had earlier in the day killed 10 persons in a raid on the town.
NAN.
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