News / Nigeria

Seven killed in twin bomb attacks in northeast Nigeria

Tuesday, 10 March 2015 4:38 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 10 March 2015 7:14 PM ]

People rest in a ward at a state hospital as they receive treatment for injuries sustained following a bomb blast that left dozens dead and many injured in Maiduguri, on March 8, 2015. ©AFP

At least seven people have been killed and 17 others injured after two bomb explosions hit a busy market and a nearby commercial street in the northeastern city of Maiduguri in Nigeria’s restive Borno state.

"Seven persons died while 17 others were injured. The rescue is still ongoing," Borno state police commissioner, Clement Adoda, told reporters on Tuesday.

Adoda referred to only one blast after initial reports of two explosions at the city's Monday Market and in a nearby street.

Bukar Ali, one of the witnesses, also said “nobody is allowed close to the scenes of the blast.”

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the deadly explosions, but they bear the hallmarks of the attacks by Boko Haram Takfiri militant group.

The Monday Market was targeted by the Takfiri Boko Haram militants at the weekend. In addition to the market, the Baga fish market and a busy express bus station were also hit by bomb blasts.

At least 58 people were killed and 139 others suffered injuries in the three assaults.

The terrorists have recently increased their bombings and attacks against villages as Nigerian and Chadian forces have pushed them out of a score of towns along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.

Villages in Cameroon and Niger have also witnessed attacks by the extremist group since the two nations decided to create a multinational force to help neighboring Nigeria contain Boko Haram militancy.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” controls parts of northeastern Nigeria and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its militancy in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced.

IA/MKA/SS

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