Eight killed in Mosque suicide bombing in Northern Nigeria
At least eight people were killed at a mosque in northeast
Nigeria on Monday when a suicide bomber disguised as a worshipper snuck into a mosque and detonated his explosives.
The
blast happened in the Mainari area of Konduga, in Borno state, said
Ibrahim Liman, from the civilian militia force assisting the military in
the fight against Boko Haram.
Suicide bombings against “soft” civilian targets such as mosques, markets and bus stations are the hallmark of the Boko Haram faction led by Abubakar Shekau.
Many of the bombers used are young women and girls. Liman said the latest attack appeared to be carried out by a man in his early 20s.
Umar Goni, who lives in Konduga, said he was on his way to the mosque when the blast occurred and he helped to rescue victims with members of the civilian volunteer force.
The bomber was disguised as a worshipper, pretending to join early morning prayers on Monday before detonating his explosives.
The
latest attack comes as Nigeria’s government is encouraging people
displaced by Boko Haram’s Islamist insurgency to return home.
It
also follows the arrests of about 22 Boko Haram extremist leaders and
fighters said to be responsible for the mass kidnapping of schoolgirls
in Chibok and more than 50 suicide bombings.
Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people during its 9-year insurgency in Nigeria.
Aid agencies providing food, healthcare, clean water and shelter across the conflict-ravaged region have warned that security has not improved.
Last week, at least six traders were killed when a convoy of lorries under military escort were ambushed in Borno state near the border with Cameroon.
The male bomber walked into the mosque while prayers were on and exploded, killing eight worshippers and injuring five others, a civilian militia member and a local resident told AFP.
Seven of the victims died in the mosque while another died on the way to (the Borno state capital) Maiduguri.
Suicide bombings against “soft” civilian targets such as mosques, markets and bus stations are the hallmark of the Boko Haram faction led by Abubakar Shekau.
Many of the bombers used are young women and girls. Liman said the latest attack appeared to be carried out by a man in his early 20s.
Umar Goni, who lives in Konduga, said he was on his way to the mosque when the blast occurred and he helped to rescue victims with members of the civilian volunteer force.
We pulled out seven dead bodies and six injured worshippers. One of the six injured died on the way to hospital, he added.
The bomber was disguised as a worshipper, pretending to join early morning prayers on Monday before detonating his explosives.
There was no way anybody could have known his mission, said Mr Goni.
 |
| Injured victims of a suicide bomb attack receive treatment as they arrive at a hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Monday, July 23, 2018. Picture: AP Photo/Jossy OlaSource:AP |
Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people during its 9-year insurgency in Nigeria.
Aid agencies providing food, healthcare, clean water and shelter across the conflict-ravaged region have warned that security has not improved.
Last week, at least six traders were killed when a convoy of lorries under military escort were ambushed in Borno state near the border with Cameroon.
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