Masoyi Lusa
About 16 people were said to have died following twin blast in Damaturu, the yobe state capital.
The bomb blast according to residents followed suicide bombs attack at two separate areas of the city as Muslim faithful were preparing for Sallah prayers in Damaturu.
Dan Lami Mohammed an eye witness informed universalreporters247.com that the suicide bomber were female, adding that one of the bombers resisted security check at Gidantu which is directly opposite governor’s office, Damaturu and later detonated an explosive killing two people with several others injured, while the other bomb went off in a similar dimension at a mosque in Sabon Pegi killing 14 people instantly.
Eye witness said, the prime suspect has been arrested by the security, saying the female suicide bombers were conveyed by him using a Sharon Bus through Ngamdu village along Maiduguri- Damaturu road.
“The bombers took the advantage of accompanying sack victims of insurgency in Ngamdu village to Damaturu to disrupt sallah celebration” said a resident
Meanwhile the Nigerian Army on Friday has confirmed the death of nine persons as a result of the twin bomb explosions which occurred at about 7.40am in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
It explained that the explosion were carried out by two female suicide bombers; an elderly woman and a ten year old girl that detonated devices at screening areas mounted by the security for intending Muslim worshippers at Layin Gwange, Damaturu and at “Phase One”, in front of the former State Secretariat Complex, Damaturu.
In a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sani Usman he added that seven other people were injured as a result of the explosions in the first explosion while in the second explosion, five people lost their lives and eleven people were wounded.
Usman said troops and security agencies responded immediately to the incidents, adding that the situation is currently under control.
He said Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai have sympathised with the victims and the people of the state and urged residents to stay calm and be security conscious at all times.
The Army Spokesman declared that no amount of terrorist acts would deter the military’s resolve to stamp out terrorism and insurgency in the country.
