Army confirms 50 deaths in Damaturu bomb explosions

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, have confirmed that 50 people lost their lives in two bomb explosions that rocked Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, on Friday.

Another witness, Muslim preacher Ustaz Abdullahi, said he saw five people killed.

Today is Eid-el-fitr (sallah), celebrated after the fast of Ramadan that ended on Thursday.

Residents have left the praying ground and returned to their homes, as ordered by security personnel.

Colonel Usman assured Nigerians that the Nigerian army have the situation under control, and that the attack does not in anyway weaken the resolve of the Nigerian army to rid the nation off terrorism and insurgency. Both Yobe State Governor and the Chief of Army Staff sympathize with and urged the people to stay calm and be security conscious.

The Eid ground hit by the blast is located at an area called phase-one along Maiduguri Road.

Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts, but such incidents are usually blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram.

Since a new government came to power in May, the terrorist group had intensified attacks on communities and places of worship, with more carried out by suicide bombers.

Noting that 43 persons died in the first explosion while seven people died in the second explosion, he added that many other persons were injured in the explosions suspected to have been masterminded by insurgents. Those coming from the area said it was a bomb inside a Keke NAPEP that exploded, ” he said.