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Nigerian military confirms scores killed in Borno State explosion
Nigerian military authorities confirmed on Tuesday scores of death and injuries in a suicide bomb attack at a commercial area in Maiduguri, capital of the northeastern Borno state.
The improvised explosive devices were detonated right in front of a large military post called JTF Sector 4, near the post office area in the city center at 2 pm local time.
Mohammed Dole, spokesperson of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, said members of the Boko Haram sect were suspected to have perpetrated the attack.
In a statement made available, the spokesperson did not give a specific casualties figure but confirmed that scores of lives were lost in the incident.
According to him, a suspect was arrested and a full investigation was ordered by Maj.-Gen. Junaid Bindawa, General Officer Commanding of the division.
“Ten vehicles and five tricycles are confirmed damaged in the bombing incident,” Dole added.
Earlier, sources had told Xinhua that a heavy death toll was to be expected due to the magnitude of the attack, and the fact that many private businesses and government offices are located in the area.
The attack happened during the nationwide public holiday in celebration of the birthday of Muslim Prophet Mohammed, therefore commercial activities were at their peak at the time of the incident.
More victims were injured in vehicular accidents when trying to escape the area, sources said.
Blood-soaked bodies were found in different corners of the area as security operatives rescued more people in a pool of blood, said Musa Garba, a local journalist who witnessed the incident.
Security operatives, shooting sporadically in the air, arrived at the scene minutes after the explosion to cordon off the area, he added.
The post office area of Maiduguri, which is located in the heart of the city, had witnessed many attacks in the five-year insurgency of the Boko Haram sect.
On Oct. 15, 2012, an explosion occurred in the same area claimed at least 10 lives.
Borno State has been a flashpoint of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram since 2009, when the sect launched its insurgency targeting churches, security facilities, schools and villages.
