Two female suicide bombers yesterday detonated explosives in an Eid praying ground in the Yobe state capital, leaving at least 15 worshipers dead and others injured. The bombs went off about 8am at one of the Eid grounds located in an area called Phase-1 Secretariat along Damaturu-Maiduguri road.
An eye witness of the incident confirm to our state correspondent that a female suicide bomber got into the prayer ground at around 8:00am while many Muslim worshippers had gathered to perform Eid-el-fitr prayer.
He said that, “two female suicide bomber then detonated the bombs strapped on them a few meters apart”.
Those that were most affected were the aide workers that were checking and frisking the bodies of worshippers before they were allowed into the prayer ground. The two suicide bombers were little girls who probably were not even aware of what they were up to,” he noted.
There are about seven (7) Eid prayer grounds in Damaturu.
Our state correspondent who visited the scene learnt that, the first explosion occurred at 7:40am close to phase 1 el-fitr prayer ground while the second bomb explosion accorded three minutes later.
Though another account of the incident said the blast was at three different locations within Damaturu, Yobe state capital eye witness accounts said “the incident occurred at exactly 7:35am, when people were having their eid-el-fit prayer.
According to Mallam Ba’aji, not less than 15 bodies were evacuated from the scene of the blast.
He added that, “ let me tell you that, it was very sad at this very important day of eid-el-fitr prayer, innocent people were killed, we have evacuated 15 bodies from the scene and several others also sustained injuries” said witness
When our state correspondent contacted the hospital management, the source from the hospital confirmed that over ten people were been killed and 18 were injured during the bomb blast.
Shortly after the bomb explosion, emir of Fika and chairman Yobe state council of chiefs, Dr Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammed Idrissa, condemned attack on worshippers in Damaturu the state capital and described the attack as barbaric and wicked.
The emir also advising parents to watch the behavior of their children’s in order to ensure proper up bringing, also used the forum to appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience in order to enjoy democracy dividends from president Muhammadu Buhari government.
Confirming the incident, a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sani Kukasheka Usman, said “Two female suicide bombers; an elderly woman and a ten year old girl detonated devices at screening areas mounted by the security for intending Muslim worshippers at Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at ‘Phase One’, in front of former State Secretariat Complex, Damaturu.
“Four persons died in the first explosion and seven people were injured. While in the second explosion, five people lost their lives and eleven people were wounded”.
The statement further disclosed that troops and security agencies responded immediately to the incidents.
“The situation is currently under control. The Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai have sympathised with the victims and the people of the state and urged residents to stay calm and be security conscious at all times.
“No amount of terrorist acts would deter our resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency in our fatherland”, he said.
Blasts Babaric, Unacceptable – COAS
Chief of Army staff (COAS) Major General Tukur Buratai, has described the two female suicide bomber attack on worshippers which killed many innocent people and injured others, “as barbaric and unacceptable.
The chief of army staff who disclosed this when he visited the scene of the bomb blasts, in Damaturu, Yobe state capital condoled with the families of the victims who lost their lives and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
According to him, the federal government and Nigerians military will do everything possible to expose those behind the killing of innocent people across the country.
He also urged people of the northeast region and Nigeria in general to continue their prayers and give support to security agencies.
He added that, “ the effect of insurgency will be over soon or later Almighty Allah would expose those behind of the attacks”.
Be proactive – JNI Tells FG
Angered by the spate of explosions that rocked Gombe Central Market on Thursday and Friday’s bomb explosion in Damaturu Eid praying ground, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday urged the Federal government to be proactive in the fight against the dreaded Boko Haram group.
JNI said “these continued savage attacks stand condemned in their entirety. Indeed those carrying out such acts are devils and whatever is their mission, may it be in futility and may they be put to shame.”
JNI in a statement by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said “Government must be seen to act proactively, so as to put a stop to this recreant acts.”
We Will Stamp Out Insurgency In Nigeria – Osinbajo
The Vice president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated the determination of the current administration in stamping out the menace of boko haram.
The vice president said this when he paid a visit to Gombe state, to commiserate with victims of Thursday’s bomb blast that killed over 30 people.
According to him, this morning (yesterday) when we paid the president Sallah homage, he asked me to come to Gombe to commiserate with the people, the emir and governor of Gombe over the terrible incident that happened. People should be rejoicing in celebration of Sallah but instead, they are mourning; it is unfortunate.” “The incident is unfortunate; we are convinced we are going to stamp out insurgency in the country,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment