Explosion rocks central market in Chad’s capital

The authorities have blamed the attack on Boko Haram, the Nigerian militant group that has carried out multiple suicide bombings inside Nigeria, sometimes by women who hid explosives under modest outer garments. Separately, police sources reported a second explosion about 30 kilometers north of N’Djamena that killed one person.

An eyewitness, Esaie Maloum, said he overheard the bomber praying and saying “Allahu Akbar”, or “God is great” in Arabic, before carrying out the attack.

A witness told Reuters news agency that at least 10 bodies were seen covered in blankets, lying near the entrance to the marketplace.

“The suicide bomber was a man disguised as a woman (in a burqa)”.

Residents said the explosion happened at around 0830 local time during a busy period before the midday heat.

Chad sent troops to neighboring Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger to work with these countries to fight against Boko Haram.

Saturday’s blast came less than a month after suicide bombers on motorcycles attacked two buildings in N’Djamena, killing almost 40 people in the first assault of its kind since Islamic militants threatened the country earlier this year.

“We had just finished our evening prayers when Boko Haram gunmen invaded our village”, said resident Kyari Sanda, adding, “They opened fire instantly”.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has explicitly threatened Chad in the past.

Chad’s oil revenues have helped to finance its defense spending, and N’Djamena serves as a headquarters for an anti-Boko Haram regional force.

Also on Saturday, another attack in Maiduguri, the volatile capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, left two pedestrians dead.