22 killed in early morning blast as 4 female suicide bombers attack Maiduguri

By Blogger

Hours after two suicide bombers had attacked Molai community in Maiduguri the Borno state capital, which left over 30 persons dead on Thursday night, another suicide attack carried out this morning by four females had left 22 persons dead, aide officials and security sources said.  

The early morning suicide attack came bare 12 hours after two male suicide bombers had attacked Maiduguri from the same area killing over 3o persons – most of whom were those praying in a mosque.

Scene of a recent blast in Damaturu, Yobe state

Residents of Maiduguri who slept with one of their eyes opened following the Thursday night were jolted out of their few hours of sleep when the explosions began to echo into the city in the wee hours of Friday. 

A Red Cross official that was at the scene of the incident, helping to evacuate bodies said, "We have 22 dead bodies including that of the female suicide bombers at the scene blast". The official who would not want his name mentioned in the press, because he was not allowed divulge such information directly, said most of the victims were villagers from Umari, a community near Molai, where the Thursday blast occurred. 

At about 5am, four women, all armed with Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) worn under their garments made an attempt to sneak into Maiduguri through same route where last night's bombers used, were spotted by soldiers who allegedly shot them down when they defied orders to stop advancing. 

One of the women was however quick to let go the trigger of her explosive, killing herself and injuring about 14 innocent villagers at village near Molai where yesterday's blasts occurred.  

"The women were seen trying to sneak through the bush paths along the Maiduguri-Biu road, but soldiers at the checkpoint were able to spot them after receiving some vital intelligence from informants", said Abba Khalil, a top official of the Civilian-JTF. 

"The women refused to obey soldiers orders to halt movement, so the soldiers opened fire on them. One of the women was unfortunately able to detonate her explosive, which triggered the ones on the bodies of the three others that were shot down. The shrapnel from the bullet had however killed many persons and injured about 14 villagers in the nearby community. We have rushed the victims to the hospital where they are currently receiving treatment".

A hospital source, Abba Shehu, who confirmed that injured persons were brought into the hospital at about 6am today (Friday) also confirmed some of the injured persons in the Thursday night suicide blast had later given up ghost while in the hospital. 

Last night, two suicide bombers (males) attacked Molai community some 6km at the time Muslims worshippers were praying in a mosque. One of the attackers target was a crowded mosque and the other detonated himself at a checkpoint. A total figure of 26 persons died on the spot, while 25 others were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.