Damaturu bombings: Nigerian Army says 50 killed, many injured

The bomb blasts on Friday at the Eid prayer ground in Yobe, Damaturu have been traced to two little girls between the ages of 10 and 11, eyewitnesses and local security sources said.

“It occurred at screening areas for intending Muslim worshippers at Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at Phase 1, in front of former state secretariat, Damaturu”.

The statement added, “Troops and security agencies responded immediately”.

Usman said both Gov. Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen.

This is the second time the city suffers an attack this year; earlier in May, quite a number of persons were killed and injured in an explosion that occurred around the city’s motor park. “Perhaps, somebody from afar was trailing and monitoring their movements to see if they could make it into the prayer ground and when they probably saw that they would be checked they decided to detonate the bombs from a remote device”.

He reiterated that no amount of terrorist act would deter the Nigerian Army’s resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency.

It has been a sad week for Nigerians, especially for those in the north-east.

The hospital source, who did not want to be named, said many persons were injured as well.

Also, earlier this week, a highway that links Damaturu to another town was raided by gunmen who killed over 20 motorists.

No group has said it carried the attack but Boko Haram has recently stepped up its campaign of violence.

Mr Dada Olayiwola condemned the blast, saying that “the jihadist group that wants to create an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria are enemies of the country”.