No fewer than 20 persons have been killed in a fresh bomb explosion that rocked the popular Monday market in Maiduguri, Borno State, north east Nigeria.
The state Police Command confirmed the explosion to newsmen in Maiduguri.
The explosion which occurred Saturday afternoon around 12:30pm Local time left the suicide bomber, said to be a teenager also dead.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jibrin, 18 others also sustained injuries.
A text message sent to reporters by the PPRO, Gideon Jibrin said: “20 persons were killed in the attack including the female suicide bomber with 18 others injured at the market.”
The scene of the explosion has been condoned off by security agencies. This is the third time that the market would be attacked in recent time.
Meantime, Nigerian military has said that troops are on mopping up operation around Damaturu, Yobe State capital after successfully foiling and containing the terrorists attempt to occupy parts of the town.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the terrorists had launched massive attack from different directions of the town on Friday evening, but troops were promptly mobilized to repel the attack that lasted the night resulting in heavy casualty on the terrorists before the rest of them retreated.
He said, weapons including IEDs and Rocket Propelled Grenades captured from the terrorists are being compiled while their dead as well as civilian casualties are yet to be determined.
“Pursuit of the fleeing terrorists is also ongoing while the 5 soldiers who were seriously wounded in the attack are being treated in the military medical facility. Although normalcy has been restored, the town is also being reinforced with more troops. More details later”.
On the situation in Baga, Olukolade said it is still being studied to determine the appropriate action that will restore law, order and normalcy to the community after the attack mounted by hundreds of heavily armed terrorists of last weekend.
He however disclosed that a total of 14 soldiers were killed in action during the attack, while over 30 who were wounded are now receiving medical attention. Most of those declared missing in action have also rejoined their unit in the ongoing reorganization for further operations.
“Although several of the terrorists died in the course of the attack and efforts at repelling the assailants, the actual figure of civilian casualties is yet to be creditably determined as is being propagated in certain quarters.
“The Nigerian military has not given up on Baga and other localities where terrorists activities are now prevalent. Appropriate plans, men and resources are presently being mobilized to address the situation.
“The Nigerian component of the Multinational Joint Task Force which retreated from its Baga Headquarters last weekend and more of the troops are regrouping for necessary debrief and briefing for subsequent missions.
“It is necessary to reassure Nigerians that the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies are capable of flushing out the terrorists from Baga and all parts of the nation’s territory where their activities are prevalent. No portion of Nigeria’s territory has been or will be conceded to terrorists.
“The use of all available resources within the armed forces will continue to be maximized to sustain the tempo of the counter terrorism campaign towards containing and eradicating terrorism in the nation’s territory.
‘The support and understanding of all partners and neighboring countries will however continue to be utilized where available and relevant in the conduct of the mission and in line with existing agreement and understanding”.
