The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of 50 persons in two separate bomb explosions in Damaturu, Yobe, on Friday morning. A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Acting-Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said that the explosions occurred at screening areas of the Eid prayer ground.
According him, many other persons are injured in the explosions suspected to have been masterminded by insurgents. “This is to confirm that there were two suicide bomb explosions today at about .7:40 a.m. in Damaturu, Yobe, in which two female suicide bombers — one elderly woman and a ten year-old girl –detonated the devices.
“It occurred at screening areas for intending Muslim worshippers at Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at Phase1, in front of former state secretariat, Damaturu,’’ he said. He said that 43 persons died in the first explosion while seven people died in the second explosion. The spokesman however assured the public that the relevant authorities had brought the situation under control. He reiterated that no amount of terrorist act would deter the Nigerian Army’s resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency. Usman said both Gov. Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had called on the residents of the area to stay calm and be security conscious.(NAN)
The explosions are coming on a day when the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai declared that he will spend his Sallah celebrations in Damaturu. Meanwhile, security operatives and men of the anti-bomb squard have condoned off praying grounds to prevent further attacks.
This year’s Ramadan has been particularly deadly, with suicide bombers hitting mosques and worshippers attacked by gunmen as they prayed. A medical source who wished to remain anonymous told AFP that 50 bodies had been brought to the hospital. Damaturu is the capital of Yobe, one of three northeastern states hardest hit by the insurgency that has left 15,000 people dead and 1.5 million homeless since 2009.
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