No fewer than 28 people were feared killed in a dawn bomb explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State Friday just as another casualty was recorded in an afternoon bomb blast in Yobe State even as another bomb blast in a mosque in Jimeta area of Yola, Adamawa State claimed about 20.
The Maiduguri attack happened shortly after 5:00 am (0400 GMT) in the Jidari area of the Borno State capital, which has previously been targeted by Boko Haram militants.
Maiduguri has now been hit six times this month, killing a total of 76 people, according to an AFP tally, underscoring an increased risk to civilians after similar strikes in neighbouring states and near the federal capital, Abuja.
Umar Sani, a civilian vigilante assisting the military in the counter-insurgency, and local resident Musa Sheriff both told AFP there were two blasts at the mosque.
“People from various mosques nearby rushed to the scene to assist the victims,” said Sani.
“I was involved in the evacuation. We counted 28 dead bodies apart from the two bombers, who were identifiable by the mutilation of their bodies.
“Over 20 other people were injured.”
Sheriff, who said he escaped with his life as he was late for prayers, gave a similar account.
Both men also said two other people were arrested and handed over to the military for questioning after they were seen apparently celebrating following the blasts.
The two men were “standing from afar, hugging each other like a celebration, chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest)”, said Sani.
“The rescuers apprehended them. They used ropes to tie them and they confirmed that two of their comrades carried out the attacks. They were unrepentant,” he added.
“To them it was a mission accomplished,” said Sheriff.
The Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) earlier in the day said only six people were killed and 17 others injured.
Medical sources at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Borno State Specialist Hospital later gave a lower toll of 19 dead.
Much later in the day, barely 11 hours after the attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, another bomb explosion occurred at a Jummat Mosque in Jimeta town, Yola, the Adamawa State capital. Death toll was still sketchy at the time of filing this report but witnesses said the toll may hit a score as the bomb exploded when many Muslim faithful were gathered at the mosque.
